Why is it becoming increasingly difficult for us to find work?
The Job Search Trap: Why Experience and Age Are Still Barriers Now
From discrimination to AI bots — my personal journey through the broken labor market.
People say that it has become more difficult to find a job lately. Many think that the problem is AI. But technology has never been a problem; it has helped and is helping in difficult and dangerous work. Some robots are better at work that requires precision and speed. For example, in factories, when people got hand injuries, these positions have now been taken by robots.
In my case, my age has always been and is a problem.
Statistics
Here are some charts and graphs with up-to-date statistics on women’s job search problems in the US now.
The unemployment rate for women in different age groups is now as follows:
- 16–19 years old — 11.7%
- 20–24 years old — 6.7%
- 25–34 years old — 4.1%
- 35–44 years old — 3.5%
- 45–54 years old — 2.9%
- 55+ years old — 3.0%
Although the most difficult situation with finding a job is for young women, entry-level professionals, and students, other categories are not without problems with finding a job. It is especially difficult for those who have taken breaks in their careers.
Below is a diagram with the percentage of women who face discrimination when looking for a job:
I consider not only nationality to be discrimination, but also how you look. I am quite short. At the beginning of my career, I did not get a job at the reception in a modeling agency because of my height. Although the vacancy did not say that the hired employee should be tall. I was not accepted to the call center because of the color of my tights.
Student years
When I was studying at the university, I was not hired because I did not want to miss classes. There was no flexible schedule, although they promised exactly that. Therefore, as a student, I did not have my own money. I dreamed of graduating as soon as possible and getting a job so that I could buy myself everything I wanted. Yes, I had such a fantasy that my salary was capable of this.
Too young and inexperienced
When I graduated from university, I was not hired because I had no experience. Everyone was also interested in whether I was married, then why not? When do I plan to have children? Who will spend time with them while I am at work? And so a couple of years passed until a friend helped me get my first job. But since the conditions there were specific, I quit.
I found my next job only two years later, and that was by accident. My friends had a friend of theirs come to me, whom I did not know, and he said that they were looking for a loan specialist to issue car loans and car insurance. I said that I was looking for a job in this area, he took my resume, and after a while, I was hired. I worked there for about 1.5 years. Then, for certain reasons, I quit.
First mini business
I decided to start my own business and make custom piñatas. There was no money for advertising, and I promoted my page myself as best I could. I knew nothing about marketing and SEO back then. Piñatas were sold in small quantities, about 1–2 per month. They didn’t bring in any income, and almost everything I earned went toward purchasing materials. The last order was very large, and the client decided not to buy it. That was the end of my first attempt to build my own business.
Hired again
Then I started working in an IT company and changed several positions. Since the salary was only enough for food, after gaining experience in three years, I found another job in the same field, where they paid twice as much.
At the interview, they asked stupid questions, I again aroused suspicion, why was I still not married, why didn't I have children, and when will I have. The most interesting question was — why do you need such a high salary? Do you have a lot of loans? That is, a salary that can buy food and clothes, but which cannot be used to take out a mortgage, is considered high? Very funny. I was a content manager at the time. I worked for hire for another six years before I decided that I had had enough.
Second attempt with a mini-business
I saved up some money and decided to open a business, sell products on marketplaces. I quit my job and enjoyed the freedom until I closed the business. Again, there was no money for advertising. Without it, there are few sales.
Job search again
After some time, I started looking for a job again. I sent more than 1000 resumes, in my profession, to well-known companies, to unknown companies, for my position, and for those that do not apply to me. Now they do not hire me as a salesperson, a hotel parking cashier, at the hotel reception, or in other simple professions, because I am too qualified.
They don’t hire me for my position, because they want the content manager to now be a copywriter and an SEO manager and an SMS manager and a marketer and a digital designer and a layout designer and a front-end developer, and a QA engineer. And they will pay for one position.
Unrealistic requirements
In addition, the knowledge requirements for content managers vary from company to company.
I have rewritten my resume several times, and only get rejections. Too young, too old, too competent, not fully competent. I guessed wrong with the salary level. You are in the wrong state. Too short. You smile too much.
I am trying to make money online, so I have started online stores, blogs, and YouTube channels. I have many projects. None of them brings in money yet. But I continue, and they still won’t hire me.
My thoughts on this matter
I have worked as a hired specialist, I have been a boss in a company, and I have worked for myself. It is not easy to check whether I am working. I am super organized, and I set myself tasks and complete them. I have a huge experience in various fields, in mastering various programs.
And yet I am not good enough to be hired.
Resume checks AI
In addition, now resumes are checked by AI agents, and they look for suitable words. That is, HR didn’t even take my resume into their hands. This stupid resume sending system, in which you need to add it to the form again, then re-fill it on the employer’s website, and also add a link to the profile on LinkedIn.
That is, your resume will appear at the employer’s three times. You spend about an hour filling out the form to get a refusal, and each time, they answer that they are impressed by my skills and knowledge. If so, then hire me …
Now the employer wants a 20-year-old worker with 20 years of work experience and with an expectation of a salary of $10 per hour. In addition, you need to work as much as possible, be passionate about work and the company, and forget about your family, pets, and friends.
Personally, having tried working from home, I am in no hurry to return to the office.
The problem with employment is not in us, as bad and inexperienced workers, but in the fact that companies do not want to pay, but they need 1 person to replace 10.
Companies do not care why you did not work and took a break in your career. I want the labor market to become fair. In the meantime, I continue to study, try, and look for my own business.
While HR bots decide whether I’m suitable for the job market, I’m developing my small online projects. Maybe you’ll find something useful, cute, or necessary here 🦝?
And how are you doing with your job search? How long have you been looking for it?
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