{
  "id": 16760243,
  "title": "At this point, 80% of job seekers apply and hear nothing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/at-this-point-80-of-job-seekers-apply-and-hear-nothing",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-27T15:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91629911/at-this-point-80-of-jobseekers-apply-and-hear-nothing"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the current job market, it's common for 80% of applicants to apply and receive no response from employers. A recent survey by the hiring platform Greenhouse revealed that 81% of job seekers experienced being ignored by a company, either a human or an automated system, at least once in the past year. Almost one-third (31%) of respondents stated that this happens often or almost always, with 38% of Gen Z applicants facing the same issue. Even those who secure interviews are not spared; 45% of respondents reported being ghosted completely after an interview.\n\nEmployers are also grappling with the growing difficulty of finding qualified candidates. Greenhouse's chief people officer, Sharawn Tipton, noted that for the first time, neither side feels that hiring is working. Job seekers send their applications into a \"black hole,\" while employers struggle to sift through AI-polished resumes that appear identical. This phenomenon may be linked to Greenhouse's concept of the \"AI doom loop,\" where employers' dependence on AI screening systems encourages applicants to craft AI-optimized applications. With a sea of indistinguishable applications, employers may lack the time to send formal rejections.\n\nTo navigate this automated hiring landscape, job seekers are increasingly relying on AI to tailor their applications. According to Greenhouse's Head of Voice AI, Ophir Samson, 54% of job hunters use AI to determine what a particular employer's screening system is looking for, while 40% add skills and keywords that don't accurately represent their abilities. Some even resort to adding hidden text to catch the attention of AI reviewers. As the hiring process becomes more automated, both companies and candidates need to adapt their strategies.\n\nGreenhouse's head of Voice AI, Ophir Samson, emphasized the importance of assessing subjective qualities in candidates, noting that AI can only polish resumes or send off numerous applications without revealing how someone thinks or learns. He suggested incorporating an interview early in the application process to provide candidates with a chance to showcase their abilities. However, Samson highlighted the necessity of candidates understanding how they are being evaluated and knowing that a real person will review their responses.\n\nApplicants, particularly those facing high levels of ghosting and ghost job opportunities, find having a robust referral network more crucial than ever. Melissa Loble, Greenhouse's chief learning officer, emphasized the significance of social capital in standing out amidst thousands of applications and AI conversations. She recommended using a portfolio of one's previous work that is directly relevant to the position, ensuring a concrete connection between the examples of work and the desired skills. Despite these challenges, job hunting has become a more daunting task, with radio silence from employers exacerbating the situation.",
  "summary": "In today’s hiring environment, job seekers are lucky to get rejected. In a recent survey by hiring platform Greenhouse, 81% of job seekers said they never heard back from a company, be it human or machine, at least once during the past year. Nearly one third (31%) say this happens “often or almost always,” including 38% of Gen Z applicants. Even those who get interviews are not immune: 45% of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}