30 Times Job Hunting Became A ‘Recruiting Hell’ For These People (New Pics)

Job huntingtoday can be pretty ridiculous, and many job seekers will attest to that. Even compared to last year, Americans need to send out more applications to find a job. In 2023, the average number of applications job seekershad to sendin the U.S. was 254. In 2024, it’s now 294 applications on average.Unreasonable screening requirements, recruiters who"ghost"applicants, and laughable salary offers: looking for a job today is really like going through Dante’s nine circles of hell. And the Recruiting Hellsubredditdocuments them all. So, for your exasperation, here are the most bonkers situations its members had to deal with.This post may includeaffiliate links.

Unreasonable screening requirements, recruiters who"ghost"applicants, and laughable salary offers: looking for a job today is really like going through Dante’s nine circles of hell. And the Recruiting Hellsubredditdocuments them all. So, for your exasperation, here are the most bonkers situations its members had to deal with.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Job hunting meme suggesting adding a humorous line in white font to a resume for better callback chances.

Tweet about recruiting hell experience, discussing illegal hiring practices and discrimination in a Dallas job recruiting firm.

Email response highlighting unrealistic job hunting expectations in recruiting hell scenario.

The unemployment rate in Octoberwas4.1%, but that doesn’t mean that those who are looking for jobs have it easy. In fact, the worrying trend of “ghost jobs” still persists after a year since major publications first started reporting about it. According toThe Guardian, 40% of job listings aren’t actually real.

Job hunting questionnaire with humorous and sarcastic answers from a candidate.

Email screenshot expressing frustration with job hunting, highlighting poor recruitment communication.

Man holding a sign about job training, illustrating a job hunting challenge in recruitment settings.

The saddest part is that it can be very hard to determine which job ads are real and which are not. “You’re never going to know for sure,” Garrett told us last year. “If you find yourself in an ‘interview’ that seems predatory or misleading, don’t feel obligated to stay. You can politely say, ‘I don’t think this is the right fit’ at any time.“Garrrett also pointed out that sending out as much resumes as you can is part of the process. “Job searching is a numbers game. You never know where the business is in thehiringprocess, so you have to cast a wide net. Sometimes your resume just needs to be in the right place at the right time, so keep applying,” she encouraged.

Garrrett also pointed out that sending out as much resumes as you can is part of the process. “Job searching is a numbers game. You never know where the business is in thehiringprocess, so you have to cast a wide net. Sometimes your resume just needs to be in the right place at the right time, so keep applying,” she encouraged.

Tweet humorously suggesting a reality show on job hunting challenges faced by baby boomers.

“Screenshot of a job hunting conversation where the employer declines to provide location details, frustrating the applicant."

Recruiting hell meme comparing job hunting in 2019 to 2024, highlighting increased complexities and demands.

Recruiting hellstarts from the very beginning of the process: spotting ridiculous ads listing unrealistic requirements. Job seekers often think to themselves: how do recruiters keep getting away with asking for 4+ years of experience for an entry-level position and inquiring about unemployment gaps for when the applicant was 14 or 15 years old? The reasons might be that either the managers are out of touch with reality or they believe in an old-fashionedwork ethic.

Text conversation about a canceled job interview, illustrating recruiting hell frustrations.

Senior engineer shares a recruiting hell experience about age discrimination in tech industry job hunt.

Online job application form illustrating the challenges of job hunting in recruiting.

A meme illustrating job hunting frustrations with a woman refusing a candidate and a man expressing confusion.

Text post about a frustrating recruiting experience highlighting poor communication in job hunting.

Text asking for an explanation of an employment gap from 04/2017 to 12/2019 during job hunting struggles.

Back in April, manager trainer Ashley Herd, the founder of Manager Method, told us something similar. She explained that many recruiters don’t know how expensive life has gotten. “And those that do think that means they can take advantage of people who need income,” she added.

Job rejection message emphasizing an internal candidate’s acceptance, highlighting recruiting challenges in job hunting.

Reddit post discussing frustrations of job hunting and unrealistic employer expectations.

Unusual job description requiring payment for access, highlighting a recruiting hell scenario.

Another reason for making absurd requirements for potential hires is that some companies and managers still have an old-fashioned attitude towards younger people in the workforce. “Many employers believe ‘paying your dues’ is necessary,” Ashley Herd said. “Including doing long, hard work for minimal pay.”

Statistics on job hunting challenges faced by recent college graduates during interviews, displayed on a TV screen.

Recruiting hell post by resumeaddict highlighting unrealistic job descriptions with a sarcastic response emoji.

Recruiting Hell: Humorous employer requirements including ancient company, specific lighting, and 24/7 chili access.

Illustration of a tired person with a mug at a computer, reflecting on job hunting rejection in recruiting hell.

Cartoon of a recruiter blocking a door with eager job seekers pushing through, illustrating job hunting frustrations.

Job hunting error on a form asking if an accident resulted in the user’s death, with options to select yes or no.

Although, as we’ve discussed earlier, casting a wide net is beneficial, sorting out through “the weeds” may be a better option. A thorough job search involves many hours looking through job ads. “‘Green flag’ signs ofemployersinclude putting pay ranges even where not legally required, giving an overview of the interview process and what you can expect in a role,” Herd explained to us back in April.

A crowd of job hunters with “making money” text overlay, showcasing the challenges of recruiting hell.

Text message about job hunting disappointment due to slow business, exemplifying recruiting hell.

Job application asking “What is your favorite vegetable?” during the recruiting process.

A LinkedIn post discusses the challenges of job hunting and recruiting for remote positions.

Social media comment criticizing online job hunting, suggesting in-person applications instead.

Screenshot of a Microsoft Teams meeting invitation with recruitment messages discussing passing on a candidate.

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This list is pretty infuriating, huh, Pandas? It certainly can make you appreciate having a stable job and not having to participate in the job searching rigamarole. However, if this list is not enough and you’re looking for more horror stories about recruiting, head overhere,hereandhere!

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