I recently had a conversation with a friend about job searching. Even though she is currently employed, like most of us, she is no stranger to browsing LinkedIn, always on the look out for new potential opportunities, and clicking that Easy Apply button. Despite her extensive experience and finding jobs where she is a near-perfect match, she said, “I find these jobs, I craft my CV to the position, I apply and yet— no one is calling me back.“
And there it is, all in that one sentence. The truth is, the 2024 job market is tough, although not impossible to navigate. This one is for all the fellow job seekers. May the odds ever be in our favour.
The aftermath of the pandemic has left its mark, and we have seen many trends in the last few years: from companies over-hiring to recession and ultimately, a series of layoffs. This instability has placed employees on the less fortunate side of the coin. Some find themselves quickly hired only to be laid off shortly thereafter, increasing competition and creating a sense of job insecurity. Media and experts have already discussed why the job market looks the way it does, but there is little talk of useful advice or when the situation will improve.
In the midst of going through screenings and interviews right now, I’ve experienced the whole spectrum of emotions: enthusiastically updating my CV and writing cover letters, applying for jobs and getting excited when my profile gets checked, only to receive a vague rejection the next day or, even worse, no response at all. And then having to gather the strength to do it all over again.
Despite the setbacks, people still find new jobs and new ads appear on the market. This resilience is one of the ways to push through rejections and continue the search until the right opportunity comes up.
Job search after the career break
They say Instagram or TikTok are bad for your mental health, but have you tried LinkedIn? Your three-week situationship ghosted you, and yes, that’s sad. But how about a recruiter ghosting you? Or worse, being ghosted by a company after passing six rounds of interviews, meeting executives, and visiting their office, and not even getting a proper rejection note? True story. The irony of that last one is that the company is in the HR management business.
Getting back into the job market after a career break is like getting back into dating after a long relationship. Strangely, both situations involve social media apps to make the search process easier. You put yourself out there, mark yourself as eligible, and suddenly, everyone is trying to figure out what went wrong. It’s like you’re wearing a sign that says: “Back on the market —ask me why!” In both cases, you’re hoping to catch the eye of an interested party and make a positive first impression.
LinkedIn sort of becomes your career Tinder, where you swipe through job postings instead of profiles, hoping to find your perfect match. You carefully curate your profile to present the most professional version of yourself; while hoping that recruiters will “swipe right” and reach out. You try to showcase your strengths, dust off your resume and carefully craft your bio to highlight your best qualities. And then, you get ghosted, or receive a rejection email that leaves you wondering – where it all went wrong?
The sense of vulnerability and uncertainty kicks in, as well as the imposter syndrome. Will I get a callback or not? Will I get the job this time, or will I have to continue endlessly applying? Yet, I must persist, because I know the job is somewhere out there, waiting. I just have to keep swiping and applying until I find it.
AI, LinkedIn and mental health
From AI-powered tracking systems that filter resumes to interview bots, technology is reshaping how we search for jobs and how employers find the right candidates. While these innovations promise efficiency, they also introduce new challenges for job seekers. Companies are increasingly using algorithms to scan resumes for specific keywords. If your CV doesn’t include the exact terms the system is programmed to recognise, it might not reach a human recruiter. Not to mention that the whole thing has made the process feel impersonal. AI can inherit biases from the very data it learns from.
The endless loop of updating CVs, filling out forms, waiting for responses, and facing rejection or complete silence can really wear you down. On top of that, as with every social media, the trick is to spot fake ads, fake recruiters, and fake offers. Legit companies will often post vacancies on their careers page, and if the job you find on LinkedIn isn’t there, it could be a red flag.
Besides, with its nonstop stream of success stories, LinkedIn can sometimes make you feel even more inadequate and stressed out. In a world where everyone is constantly humble and proud to share things, it’s important to remember there is life outside of the social media. Going offline from time to time is a good way to boost mental health and confidence. Remembering to focus on small, meaningful things that are important to each of us; not just doomscroll the perfectly curated feed.
A few resources
You’re going to hate this if you are an introvert, but networking is where it’s at. Hate the game, not the players. So many people I know find out about job opportunities through connections. Check your network, add more people and reach out. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and ask questions about the opportunities that interest you.
Sites like ResumeWorded.com can help you adjust your CV. Even AI tools can assist with checking grammar or finding the right words. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and relevant to the jobs you’re applying for; it’s a basic step but don’t skip it. If you find a job you really like, try reaching out directly to the company or to the recruiter. Check the companies you want to work for and see if they have an internal referral process – you might know someone who can help get your CV noticed.
It takes some effort, but as the pop princess Britney puts it herself: “you want to live fancy? live in a big mansion? Party in France?” You gotta work, b*tch. No time to quit now. 🙂
🙌🙌🎊