A Reddit post has reignited debate around a growing paradox in today’s labor market: employers cite that they cannot find suitable candidates, while job seekers insist there are no real opportunities available.
The person who shared the post starts by addressing a sentiment they once dismissed.
“I keep seeing posts here saying ‘there are no jobs’ and honestly, I used to think that was exaggerated.”
That perspective changed during their time as a hiring manager.
“When I was hiring I’m sitting here with 500 resumes and none are relevant. Like not ‘people are dumb’ just mismatch.”
Instead of blaming applicants, the person points to a disconnect between job postings and visibility.
“And I kept thinking there MUST be some candidate out there applying who would actually fit and I just never reached them.”
They believed qualified applicants would naturally find the position.
“I posted the job and assumed the right people would find me. They didn’t.”
“Now I’m hunting for a role myself and it feels like there are actually NO JOBS.”
Despite this, the person continued to be convinced opportunities exist somewhere beyond their reach.
“And yet I’m sure the right one is out there somewhere it just doesn’t reach me.”
“It’s like a loop Somewhere, the right candidate applied and never reached my inbox. Somewhere, the right job exists and never reaches my screen. Both sides are yelling into fog and its really disheartenig.”
“Yeah, stop looking for unicorns and accept the fact that 99% of jobs can be taught. But nooo...there's nobody suitable just because nobody is a 100% match for the job ad that contains the tasks and requirements of 3-5 different roles rolled into one.”
“Companies have been pared to the bone, they no longer have the internal human resource to train up new staff.”
One commenter cited this trend has worsened over time.
“I think we've been living this way since at least the 2008 financial crisis, and it's been even worse since Covid19.”
“I was recently rejected for a job where I met 95% of JDs bulletpoints but did not have exp with one particular piece of software although I've loads of exp with this ‘type’ of software.”
“Gotta match software experience.. and commonly used vendors… and market size…. Within driving distance to your house.. and it cant be too big or too small of a pay increase or decrease.”
They argued that adaptability have lost value.
“Thats the todays problem and you described it yourself, you just looked for the 100% fit.”
“People can evolve in work inviorments, but recruiter nowdays search for the 100% fit and don’t even reach out for a 90% fit, that would learn the rest 10% in no time.”
Education requirements were also criticized.
“There are jobs which requiere a Beachlor or Master degree, which a person with experience and engagment could do easily, but they get rejected, because they didn’t studied.”
“With the implent of KI for the recruiting side this problem is just getting worse.”
One user concluded with a caution for employers.
“The industrie has to otherthink it methods at some point.”
FAQs:
Q1. Why do employers say they can’t find suitable candidates?
Several employers filter for exact skill matches and specific experience, excluding adaptable applicants. This narrows the talent pool significantly.
Q2. Why do job seekers feel there are no jobs available?
Applicants often experience automated rejections, ghost listings, or unrealistic requirements. As a result, opportunities feel invisible or unreachable.
The person who shared the post starts by addressing a sentiment they once dismissed.
“I keep seeing posts here saying ‘there are no jobs’ and honestly, I used to think that was exaggerated.”
That perspective changed during their time as a hiring manager.
“When I was hiring I’m sitting here with 500 resumes and none are relevant. Like not ‘people are dumb’ just mismatch.”
Instead of blaming applicants, the person points to a disconnect between job postings and visibility.
“And I kept thinking there MUST be some candidate out there applying who would actually fit and I just never reached them.”
They believed qualified applicants would naturally find the position.
“I posted the job and assumed the right people would find me. They didn’t.”
‘Now It Feels Like There Are Actually NO JOBS’
The frustration amplified after switching positions from recruiter to applicant.“Now I’m hunting for a role myself and it feels like there are actually NO JOBS.”
Despite this, the person continued to be convinced opportunities exist somewhere beyond their reach.
“And yet I’m sure the right one is out there somewhere it just doesn’t reach me.”
A Closed Loop With No Human Connection
The post concludes with a metaphor that several users say perfectly spots modern hiring.“It’s like a loop Somewhere, the right candidate applied and never reached my inbox. Somewhere, the right job exists and never reaches my screen. Both sides are yelling into fog and its really disheartenig.”
‘Stop Looking for Unicorns,’ Users Respond
The comments section rapidly flourished with criticism of employer expectations. One user remarked:“Yeah, stop looking for unicorns and accept the fact that 99% of jobs can be taught. But nooo...there's nobody suitable just because nobody is a 100% match for the job ad that contains the tasks and requirements of 3-5 different roles rolled into one.”
Training Cutbacks Since 2008 Still Felt Today
Others traced the concern to long-term cost cutting as a major cause.“Companies have been pared to the bone, they no longer have the internal human resource to train up new staff.”
One commenter cited this trend has worsened over time.
“I think we've been living this way since at least the 2008 financial crisis, and it's been even worse since Covid19.”
Qualified Candidates Rejected Over Minor Gaps
Several users shared personal experiences of near-perfect matches being ignored.“I was recently rejected for a job where I met 95% of JDs bulletpoints but did not have exp with one particular piece of software although I've loads of exp with this ‘type’ of software.”
The Checklist Hiring Culture
Another comment emphasized the expanding list of rigid filters candidates experience today.“Gotta match software experience.. and commonly used vendors… and market size…. Within driving distance to your house.. and it cant be too big or too small of a pay increase or decrease.”
They argued that adaptability have lost value.
“Thats the todays problem and you described it yourself, you just looked for the 100% fit.”
When 90% Isn’t Enough Anymore
Commenters emphasized that recruiters increasingly dismiss near-perfect candidates.“People can evolve in work inviorments, but recruiter nowdays search for the 100% fit and don’t even reach out for a 90% fit, that would learn the rest 10% in no time.”
Education requirements were also criticized.
“There are jobs which requiere a Beachlor or Master degree, which a person with experience and engagment could do easily, but they get rejected, because they didn’t studied.”
AI Recruiting May Be Making the Problem Worse
Technology, rather than sorting out the inefficiencies, may be intensifying them.“With the implent of KI for the recruiting side this problem is just getting worse.”
One user concluded with a caution for employers.
“The industrie has to otherthink it methods at some point.”
FAQs:
Q1. Why do employers say they can’t find suitable candidates?Several employers filter for exact skill matches and specific experience, excluding adaptable applicants. This narrows the talent pool significantly.
Q2. Why do job seekers feel there are no jobs available?
Applicants often experience automated rejections, ghost listings, or unrealistic requirements. As a result, opportunities feel invisible or unreachable.