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“The Youth Just Don’t Want To Work”: 89 Posts That Show How Bafflingly Unhinged Recruiting Can Be (New Pics)
Go to college, graduate and get a job. Oh, how we wish it were that simple. In reality, around 7.4 million people are unemployed in the United States alone. That’s more than the number of jobs currently available in the country.
To say bagging your dream job is no easy feat would be an understatement. Many people accept whatever they can get, and even then, it can take months, if not years of applying to finally be offered a position. Point in case: a person who revealed online that they submitted 2,452 job applications and received one offer.
The jobseeker's screenshot is one of thousands of posts featured the Recruiting Hell page. It's somewhat of a virtual support group for anyone who needs reassurance that they're not alone in employment purgatory. The page has more than 1.6 million weekly visitors, many of whom are taking a short and much-needed break from the painful recruitment process.
From job ads with wild expectations like, “Able to run 3-5 miles at a 12-13 minute pace,” to hilariously relatable memes, Bored Panda has put together a list of the best posts from the community. Many might make the gainfully employed breathe a huge sigh of relief, while the rest cry into their crumpled cv.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Yup
RELATED:
#2
The Streets Have Spoken
TACO Don's Authentic TexMex 13 hours ago
Lady, start a GoFundMe. Millions of us would chip in. F**k LinkedIn.
Things are not looking good when it comes to the job market. But if you're one of the millions of people desperately seeking work, you probably already know that. In the United States alone, 7.4 million people are unemployed. Some are graduates fresh out of college, others had work, then they didn't.
According to executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, layoffs reached more than 1.1 million in 2025, while job creation failed to keep pace. Only 584,000 jobs were added. This is many people to settle for whatever they can get.
And, as some experts warn, the U.S. is in the midst of an underemployment crisis. In other words, a growing number of workers are settling for underpaid or part-time work that does not meet basic living expenses.
#4
Because This Happens All The Time With Me
#6
Love When They Ask What Would Help, Then Ignore Every Word
People who have spent years studying now find themselves taking on menial jobs, just to try and make ends meet.
“I’m also working weekends at a friend’s cafe, washing dishes, and I’m still applying and interviewing for other opportunities. But it’s the same story, no offers. At the same time, I’m debating whether to switch professions or even go back to school, even though I already have a master’s degree,” marketing and communications professional BC Dodge told Al Jazeera.
#7
Yeah Lemme Jump Right On That
#8
This Explains Every Hiring Process I’ve Ever Seen
#9
Figured Y'all Would Like (Or Dislike) This
Laserleader 11 hours ago
Sounds like the guy who created a program that a business he was applying for used, only to be told that he needed more experience with it, and the number of years experience was far longer than the program had existed for.
Despite making a name for himself in Washington's nonprofit sector, he now finds himself struggling to find full-time work. Dodge was laid off from his job in 2024 when the company decided to restructure. After hitting numerous brick walls, the communications expert turned to part-time work.
"The pay was well below what he had been earning before, but he accepted it anyway," reports Al Jazeera. "Some income, he reasoned, was better than none."
The Economic Policy Institute has warned that underemployment is on the rise, with 8% of the U.S. population finding themselves in this position. That figure is up 0.5% from 2024, and 1.1% from 2023.
#10
I Was Offered An Unpaid One Week Trial. Rejected It
#11
"The Youth Just Don't Want To Work"
#12
When Capitalism Is Hijacked…
“Some people have lost their jobs and found new ones that pay less, but others have kept their jobs, but their healthcare premiums have increased," says Jillian Hishaw, a personal bankruptcy lawyer in Charlotte, North Carolina. "Their electric bills have also gone up. Their salaries no longer cover basic living costs.”
#13
Why Do Companies Put You Through Multiple Interviews When They've Already Decided On An Internal Candidate?
Laserleader 11 hours ago (edited)
Yup. I got a Bachelor's MCL degree to work at a local museum, and after applying for the third time (before my degrees, after my Associate MCL degree when they said I needed a Bachelor's, and after I got it) it was revealed tha they were hiring their friends internally (without degrees) and just had to legally post the jobs beacuse of their government funding, but never intended to hire anyone else.
#14
You Need To Have Experience Before You Start Working
Hishaw adds that the current situation is causing more and more people to come knocking on her door, inquiring about personal bankruptcy filings. It's all in a desperate effort not to lose their homes to foreclosure.
“In one day last week, 85 foreclosures were filed in Mecklenburg County [where Charlotte is located]," revealed the lawyer. "Foreclosures happen daily, but 85 in a single day is unusually high. Two years ago, the daily average was 10 to 20, but now filings are approaching triple digits each day.”
Meanwhile, some job seekers say they're submitting thousands of applications, and still not getting any joy.
33-year-old James Richardson from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is one of them. He told the BBC that without help from his parents, he would be homeless.
Richardson says he's applied to more than 1,200 jobs since being let go from his role as an information security analyst for a government contractor in October. And that sometimes his application is rejected within 15 minutes of submission.
"It feels like there is no-one on the other side even bothering to take a look at your experiences and credentials," Richardson said.
#19
Woke Up To This Shocking Email This Morning
I have no criminal or felony charge history whatsoever, and yet they STILL rejected me. This is the FIRST time I ever got rejected this year. Also have had other emails from other Workday Talent Acquisition Teams like this from Goodwill's and ALDI's in the past. WORST HIRING TEAMS I'VE EVER HAD THAT REVIEWED MY APPILACTIONS IN MY LIFE!
#20
This Is So Accurate
#23
I Srsly Believe This Is How They Recruit Nowadays
#24
This One Question Exposes Toxic Workplaces Instantly
#26
Being Unemployed Should Not Be Held Against You
#28
Recruiters...genuine Question: Why Do Some Of You Do This?
Geoffrey Scott 4 hours ago
"And any further questions can most likely be answered by THE FREAKIN' COVER LETTER YOU HAD ME SUBMIT AS WELL!
#29
90% Of Jobs Can Be Taught
#31
Humiliation Ritual
#32
Actual Response I Got From A Job I Applied To. At Least They Are Honest I Guess
Heffalump 9 hours ago
That's a company I want to work for. They live in the real world. Most companies are like: 'You'll be paid a pittance because it's a huge privilege to work here. You won't need an apartment because we expect all employees to sleep in the car park so they can come in to work quickly when we create an emergency by being incompetent.'
#33
Reality?
#35
Work Or Pass Away
#36
I Know Of Colleagues With Enviable Resumes Who've Been Benched For Years, As Well. It Gets Worse If You're Over 45-50
Earonn - 3 hours ago
Did my apprenticeship as a TV engineer as 3rd best of my class. Couldn't get a job for 2 years, finally started in a call centre just to get off welfare. I realised I'd never work in 'my' job because several bosses told me, to my face (pre-smartphone times) that they don't employ women. THAT is why I have that specific gap in my resume. Fvcking se.xism.
#37
Yeah, I'm Not Even Going To Comment On This
#38
Rejected Before Applying
#39
What A Rookie Mistake
Slop Generator 4 hours ago
I applied with the following text: Here is a polished, professional cover letter for your resume to apply for Chemistry IB Tutor job...
#40
Hey So That’s Actually Not What Remote Means
If I wanted to relocate, I’d be looking for jobs that offer relocation.
Also, this is a bookkeeping job paying $60k. They’re not actually gonna pay for cross-country relocation, they’re going to find a San Diego resident who is vaguely qualified and hire them because it’s cheaper in the short run.
Geoffrey Scott 3 hours ago
And, from what I've heard, you may want to recruit from the homeless population outside your facility on that rate of pay.
#41
If You Are The Daughter Of The CEO, You Get To Be Vp Right Out Of College
Locally, we have a hospital called MercyHealth. The CEO Javon Bea makes like 16+ million a year, one of the most well played CEOs in America. He makes more than Mayo Clinic's CEO.
If you google him, you'll see he recently closed down a hospital he promised he wouldn't. And the hospital was located in the poorest neighborhood of Rockford IL.
Above is nepotism at the best. His daughter graduates college in 2009 and lands a VP job right off the bat. She makes almost 1/2 million.
#42
All We Care About Is Money
#43
The Texts I Got After Accepting Another Role
After getting an offer and accepting (because they said I had to give an answer that day), I got another offer that was much better the next day which was still two weeks before the other job would start.
I told them it had better pay, more stability and wasn’t contracting, and I got a bunch of texts from them trying to scare me into staying. Feel like I dodged a bullet not joining them.
#44
Hr Manager: “Please Explain Your Gap In Employment?“
Laserleader 11 hours ago
That's such a personal question. Like, there is no satisfactory answer.
#48
Imagine Having 2 Years Of Experience Just To Be Lumped In The Same Category As People With No Experience
#49
This Is An Administrative Assistant To CEO Position…
#50
Apologies To The Models In The Stock Images
#52
Insane Reply To Earlier Post
#53
Future Interview Question: "How Are You Training Your Subconscious To Perfect Your Sales Pitch In Your Idle Time (Sleep)?"
#55
A Normal Interview Question
#56
What Is The Chance Of This Really Happening?
#58
They're Catching On 👀🤣
David Morgan 12 hours ago
Peruse my CV...familiarise yourself with the enclosed work history...note this middle finger...
#60
My Manager Gave Me A Feedback Using Chatgpt
#63
I Really Have No Words
Job description for founding engineer btw. Although they have the same requirements for every opening. I did apply since I was desperate for job but anyway. I found a job a month back but this one job description kept bugging me and thankfully I found this subreddit 😭 Edit: This IS NOT an ad for the company nor is it fake. I applied to this a few months back and its still an active opening. Edit 2: For everyone asking the company is called Icon - AI ad maker (IM NOT PROMOTING IT!)
#65
Saw This On Linkedin. I Think It's A Good Summary Of The Situation
#67
Is This Becoming The New Norm For The Interview Process? Because This Feels Insane
#68
We’re Still Doing This In 2025…
#69
This Cannot Be Real Life Bro
#70
I Was Still In The Building After My Interview???
Second round of interviews. They tell me to expect an email in the coming week...for admission to another 2 interviews. Got this message 2 minutes later. Didn't even think to check my email until hours afterward.
All for a fast food position.
#71
How Long Before They're Asking For Skull Measurements?
#72
Why Is This Joke In A Kids Movie Lmaoo
ynyrhydref56 10 hours ago
There are always jokes for the adults who have to take their kids to the movie
#76
This Is So Accurate
#77
Didn't Even Try To Hide The AI Prompt
#78
Cuting My Legs From Underneath Me
So check this out this was about a month ago I applied this position I went to two different interviews and I discussed it with the people I was interviewing with and with the recruiting agency and they all agreed for me to start today and then when the day came it they told me that the funding was taken away and the job was on hold they waited until today to tell me I quit my previous job in order to be here.
#80
I Wish I Was A Nepo Baby
#81
Finally Got A Job After 9 Months Of Search!!!
I almost lost all hope on getting anything after 9 long month of searching as a new grad in mechanicalengineering. Took me 21 interviews with 21 different companies and that's not including the phone calls that don't produce actual interviews(probably like 20 more). The first 20 interviews took weeks from scheduling to final response or ghosting (4 of them). The last one was, fill application, call, interview, offer, whithin two weeks.
TACO Don's Authentic TexMex 12 hours ago
As it should be. Companies are screwing themselves with this game.
#82
Why Do Jobs Discriminate Based On Location? I Have No Kids, No Pets, No Obligations, No Furniture, And No Family. I Will Be Able To Move Instantly With A Reasonable 2 Week Notice. She Ghosted Me After This Message Even Though I Was A Solid Applicant!
#84
Tech Job Market These Days
BarBeeGirl 12 hours ago
Ha! It was $50 grand in my case. And I never ended up working in the IT field 😂
#86
Hr Got Mad After I Rejected The Interview Call
#87
Saw This Gem On Linkedin
TACO Don's Authentic TexMex 12 hours ago
Sounds like you should shut your mouth and respect his game.
#88
Taking Boomer Advice Never Works !
Joyce Brown 6 hours ago
Once again, not all boomers! Also, networking, having a solid reputation, and being in the right place at the right time often nets better results than applying online. I have helped several co-workers get better jobs by knowing who is hiring, writing letters of recommendation and giving references. And P.S., I often don't get hired as soon as an interviewer sees my gray hair and stereotypes me as a 'set in their ways' boomer.
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What do you think ?
Breadcrumb. 12 hours ago
I reply to older folks who say "kids don't want to work these days" with "Well you better get out of retirement then." We agree with your sentiment about "the good old days". We want houses and affordable groceries. F**k things are getting dark.
James016 6 hours ago
By chance a reel turned on my instagram feed from the James O'Brian show where the caller was a late teen, early twenty something looking for a job and had applied to a pub as a kitchen porter which is basically washing up everything. The job spec required at least 1 years experience as a kitchen porter. He has the interview anyway which was conducted in a manner more befitting a senior exec role and then they required him to record and submit a 1 to 2 min video explaining why he was the most suitable for the role. All that for a job washing dishes. They also touched on the "just drop your CV into the shop" thing which he said just isn't done anymore as recruitment has been more centralised and moved online.
Breadcrumb. 12 hours ago
I reply to older folks who say "kids don't want to work these days" with "Well you better get out of retirement then." We agree with your sentiment about "the good old days". We want houses and affordable groceries. F**k things are getting dark.
James016 6 hours ago
By chance a reel turned on my instagram feed from the James O'Brian show where the caller was a late teen, early twenty something looking for a job and had applied to a pub as a kitchen porter which is basically washing up everything. The job spec required at least 1 years experience as a kitchen porter. He has the interview anyway which was conducted in a manner more befitting a senior exec role and then they required him to record and submit a 1 to 2 min video explaining why he was the most suitable for the role. All that for a job washing dishes. They also touched on the "just drop your CV into the shop" thing which he said just isn't done anymore as recruitment has been more centralised and moved online.
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