Tell HN: The Job Search Sucks | Hacker News Reader

Tell HN: The Job Search Sucks

11 pointswsgeorge6 comments

Here are a few things I've noticed after 9 months of job hunting:

1. Applications that look worthwhile are tedious, if filled with the kind of attention to detail they expect.

2. There is no guarantee of response (not even by a bot), which raises serious questions about the value placed on potential hires, and the thoughtfulness expected from them during the process.

3. The hiring pipeline takes a long time (could be several weeks), which seems to be at odds with the idea of "actively recruiting" companies.

4. "X years of professional experience" requirements can make it difficult to branch out of a stack/space, limiting the pool of opportunities.

5. Sometimes, you're required to sign up to the company's job platform, which adds more friction to the process. It's worse when creating an account is sold as a way to help you "stand out" from the crowd.

How could it suck less? For those in the position to hire, how much does it suck on your side?

I've never applied for a tech job other than when 12 years ago... managed to snag a few jobs since then just from being skilled and noticed. Recently, as of 2023, I figured I'd just put myself out there and see if any companies would bite. I don't need a job though I have always worked two jobs.. and I've been without a second job for over a year. So acquiring skills of programming, web development, graphic design, web design, software engineering, marketing. Why not?

Indeed.com

I wanted to see what was out there and who would respond. I applied to over 50 jobs. Every single company received a personal cover letter from me and resume. Only about 10 responded. Of that 10, 3 or 4 asked for a further interview. Of those further interviews, none actually ended up happening. Waited for emails, waited for notifications.. nothing came. I'm probably not qualified.

I love my tech job and hope I keep it, but I've been in the ongoing process of prepping for when the time comes so I don't have to worry.. trying anyway. I invested in two rental properties which bring in almost $2k a month and have plans to rent out my house.

In addition... and all honestly, I'm tired of working for corporations that will replace you in a heartbeat or make promises that none ever keep. I love my job. I love the company I work for. But I eventually want to work for myself and my own clients.

So 100% agreed.. gave the job search ordeal a try... and it's just a tedious process that doesn't seem to go anywhere. But in tech, there's soooo much competition.

"X years of professional experience" requirements can make it difficult to branch out of a stack/space, limiting the pool of opportunities.

A vast understatement, especially when applied to specific skills and used as hard cliffs.

As anyone with genuine experience knows: nothing could be a more useless metric of actual competence. The people who keep using this phrase (who, ironically, seem to be gainfully employed) need to have their keyboards (or these days, ChatGPT credentials) taken away.

Along with the CTOs who put them in their current "role".

It sounds like you've been filling out applications online?

I feel like this has always sucked and isn't anything new.

Personally, I've had much better experiences in the past with recruiters. Not sure how it is these days, but might be worth a shot at building good relationships with them if you're not doing so already?

It could suck less if candidates used an application system that gave candidates more visibility into the job search process.

Like require employers to summarize the most important thing they want (1, 4), require a response or the employer pays the candidate a fee (2), shows the number of applicants to a position, the last time a resume was reviewed, the last time a candidate was interviewed, the number of candidates interviewed (3), does not require the candidate to signup to apply (5).

If software like this was written and worked well and shown to candidates, and candidates didn't jump on it when it appeared, then candidates may have only themselves to blame. If you want something enough you need to also do something about it.

I’m sure trying to find s job like you describe sucks. Learn better job hunting strategies.

You could have wrote this 20 years ago and it would look identical.

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