750 Readers Reveal: Ageism, AI, and Overqualification Blocking Jobs!

• Over 750 job seekers have bravely opened up about their struggles in the job market.
• Many are facing extended periods of unemployment, which are wreaking havoc on their finances and prompting tough sacrifices.
• Securing both white-collar positions and lower-paying jobs has proven to be a daunting challenge for numerous respondents.

In a compelling survey, more than 750 individuals aged 18 to 76 from across the nation shared their personal experiences in the relentless job hunt. Their stories reflect a widespread sense of frustration and despair, transcending geographical boundaries, age, and varied professional backgrounds.

Through heartfelt emails and an online questionnaire, these seekers voiced their concerns about fierce competition for both white-collar positions and lower-paying roles. Many seasoned workers expressed their disappointment at being unable to find decent-paying jobs following layoffs, while younger generations reported struggles to enter their desired fields, despite holding advanced degrees.

Worry about finances looms large for nearly all respondents—single parents forced to skip bills and apply for SNAP just to keep food on the table, others draining their retirement savings, downsizing their homes, or moving in with family in search of stability.

In a startling twist, September saw job openings plummet to the lowest levels in three years. While the unemployment rate may appear low on the surface, the number of long-term unemployed—those seeking work for over 27 weeks—has climbed this year.

Experts highlight that finding a job has become increasingly difficult in this cooling job market. Companies are scrutinizing candidates more closely than ever before, a stark contrast to previous years when employers were more willing to overlook discrepancies in qualifications.

Meet Scott Fite, a 60-year-old resident of Pennsylvania who has been on the hunt for IT jobs since April after losing his position. To tighten their budget, Scott and his family have cut back on dining out and eliminated some streaming subscriptions. If he fails to secure a job soon, he risks dipping into savings earmarked for his daughters’ college education.

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After sifting through over 600 responses and 150 emails, four key frustrations emerged from the community.

Older Americans are facing uphill battles in their job searches

Fritz Boyle, 55, has been tirelessly pursuing roles as a user experience strategist in AI and software development since his layoff last year. Although he’s secured several interviews and reached the final stages twice, the elusive job offer continues to evade him.

“I suspect ageism is at play; it feels like younger, less experienced candidates are getting the roles I’m vying for,” stated Fritz, who resides in Portland, Oregon.

Half of the respondents were over 50, with many expressing their frustrations about the lack of opportunities that match their previous salaries. Others indicated they had to settle for lower-paying jobs, effectively delaying their retirement dreams.

Financial strain is palpable among those still searching for work. Over three dozen individuals confessed to withdrawing from their 401(k) or IRAs just to make ends meet. Some baby boomers and Gen Xers, after layoffs, have found themselves in uncharted waters, taking on debt or contemplating bankruptcy for the first time.

Ironically, while many older seekers cite age as a barrier, Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals that the unemployment rate for those aged 55 to 64 consistently falls below the national average. This could be attributed to older workers taking their time to network and seek out fitting opportunities, rather than rushing into any position available.

Intensified competition and AI screening create additional hurdles

A recent LinkedIn analysis revealed that competition for roles has intensified across multiple industries compared to just two years ago, affecting sectors from professional services to food services.

Many individuals in their 30s and 40s expressed confusion over how to differentiate themselves in such crowded fields, especially as AI increasingly screens job applications. Some went so far as to invest in professional resume and cover letter services, with several characterizing their job search as a “full-time job” in itself.

Others lamented the prevalence of ghost or fraudulent job postings, with Chris Jorgensen, 37, from Utah, sharing his experience of encountering hiring scams aimed at extracting personal information. He reported receiving rejection notices shortly after applying, likely due to AI filtering.

“The majority of jobs I apply for just never respond,” he lamented.

Every generation feels shut out from the white-collar job market

Over a hundred respondents across age groups noted the growing difficulty of securing employment in white-collar sectors. Recent graduates expressed their frustration at being unable to find tech roles despite holding relevant internships and degrees from prestigious institutions. Simultaneously, seasoned executives with decades of experience found themselves overlooked for lower-paying positions due to their qualifications.

Employment opportunities in professional and business services, which encompass legal and advertising fields, have softened recently, as highlighted by data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The information sector, essential for many tech roles, has also experienced stagnation this year.

In an effort to regain a competitive edge, some respondents returned to school for an advanced degree. While a portion found value in their education, others cautioned that obtaining a higher degree didn’t always translate to better job prospects.

Stephanie Allen, 53, has been in search of writing and customer service positions since March 2023. She stated that her advanced education sometimes works against her in the job hunt.

“I feel that having a master’s degree in English makes employers hesitant to hire me, as they might think I’ll seek a more challenging, higher-paying position soon,” shared the Maryland resident.

Younger job seekers echoed similar sentiments, with graduates in their 20s indicating that even from top universities in computer science or business management, they struggle to penetrate the corporate world and are considering alternative entrepreneurial ventures.

Even landing lower-paying jobs has become more challenging

Over 200 respondents, mainly in their 40s and 50s, lamented the struggle to find lower-paying roles that align with their skill set. At least two dozen noticed a scarcity of managerial openings or perceived that available roles didn’t offer pay commensurate with their experience.

Some individuals reported taking pay cuts exceeding $50,000 after previously holding high-level positions, simply to secure employment. Others trying to transition into retail after years in the corporate sphere faced challenges, as hiring managers often deemed them overqualified.

Sean Tetpon, 55, previously a communications manager in major corporations like IBM, has been unemployed for a year after a series of layoffs. Despite submitting over 1,000 applications, he reports that he hasn’t landed any positions that reflect his prior salary levels. Sean metaphorically describes the white-collar job search as “playing the lottery.”

“It’s terrifying. After years of preparing for retirement, I now find myself questioning if I’ll ever retire due to my savings depletion from this layoff,” Tetpon admits.

We want to hear your story. Are you facing challenges in your job search? Have you overcome hurdles and found work? Please take a moment to fill out this
quick form
.