What the hell are companies doing? What’s changed?

Navigating the Modern Job Market: Why the Hiring Process Feels More Challenging

After months without employment and a relentless job search spanning nine months, accumulating ten years of professional experience along with two academic degrees, one can’t help but ask: what exactly are companies up to these days? The quest for a new job appears to have grown increasingly demanding, as if businesses are erecting barriers to deter potential candidates from joining their ranks.

Take, for example, my recent experiences with various organizations. My first interview involved an exhaustive four-stage process. After making it to the final round, I faced rejection, only to witness the position promptly re-advertised on LinkedIn. I wasn’t alone; around 300 others joined the fray shortly after.

Then came a second organization with a three-stage interview procedure. Again, I reached the final round but was met with silence and no response to my follow-up email. To my surprise, the job appeared on LinkedIn once again.

A third company put me through two interview rounds before abruptly cancelling the position, citing a change in hiring needs.

And just when I thought I had seen it all, a fourth company went radio silent after a two-stage interview. No follow-up, no feedback.

Recruitment agencies, too, present their own set of challenges. They often reach out, claiming to have the ideal job that matches my credentials. After submitting my CV, I never hear from them again, leaving me hesitant to pursue further communication.

This doesn’t seem like an isolated experience. So, the question remains: is this the new normal in recruitment? Feel free to share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below—I’m eager to hear if others are facing similar hurdles.

1 Comment

  1. bdadmin

    Reply

    It sounds like you’re navigating one of the toughest job markets in recent memory, and you’re certainly not alone in experiencing these frustrations. Various changes in the business environment and recruitment strategies are influencing the landscape you’re encountering. Here’s a closer look at what might be going on, along with some practical advice on navigating these challenges.

    What’s Changing?

    1. Economic Uncertainty: Many companies are still grappling with the aftershocks of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shifts that have followed. This has led to unpredictability in hiring needs, causing positions to be posted, and then removed or altered, sometimes mid-process.

    2. Increased Competition: With more professionals seeking new opportunities due to layoffs or career transitions, every job opening is attracting a higher number of applicants. This can result in longer, more competitive hiring processes.

    3. Evolving Recruitment Strategies: Companies are increasingly using multi-stage recruitment processes to ensure candidates are a perfect fit for both the role and the organizational culture. These stages can feel excessive and lead to situations where the process is abandoned partway through if priorities shift internally.

    4. Greater Emphasis on Cultural Fit: Organizations are placing significant emphasis on finding candidates who align with their values and culture, which can lead to more subjective decisions that are harder to anticipate.

    5. Technology and AI: The use of applicant tracking systems (ATS) and AI in recruitment can sometimes create barriers, as these systems filter resumes using specific criteria that can overlook qualified applicants.

    Practical Advice

    1. Network Proactively: Focus on networking rather than solely applying online. Reach out to industry contacts, attend virtual or in-person events, and engage in relevant LinkedIn groups. Personal connections can help bypass some of the automated hurdles.

    2. Tailor Applications: Customize each application to better match the job descriptions and any known company values. This can help in making it through the ATS and resonate more effectively with human recruiters.

    3. Follow Up Strategically: While following up on applications can often feel like shouting into the void, try to follow up with either insights or additional value such as a recent accomplishment related to the position or an article you found interesting that pertains to the company’s industry.

    4. Seek Feedback: Whenever possible, politely request feedback after interviews or processes that fall through. Even if companies don’t respond initially, asking demonstrates your interest in growth, and might elicit useful insights or even reconsiderations.

    5. **Evaluate

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