Job Hunting Is Tough, And These Memes Show Just How Real It Is

Job hunting in 2024 means 294 applications, ghosting, and unfair salaries.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• December 5, 2024

Job hunting these days is more challenging than ever. Gone are the days when you could send a few applications and wait for a callback. Today, job seekers must send more applications, deal with unrealistic expectations, and face long waits without updates.

In 2023, the average number of applications needed to land a job was 254, but in 2024, that number has climbed to 294. One major issue is the crazy requirements employers list for jobs.

Many want candidates with experience or skills that seem unnecessary for the position, making it harder for qualified people to get noticed. In addition, many job seekers report being ghosted by recruiters—meaning they apply, get through interviews, and never hear back. It can feel like they’re just wasting their time.

Another area for improvement is the lowball salary offers that come with many positions. Job seekers with years of experience are sometimes offered wages that don’t match the work they’re expected to do. Employers often claim the roles are “good for gaining experience,” but this doesn't make up for the unfair pay.

Job seekers share their struggles on platforms like the Recruiting Hell subreddit, where people vent about the ridiculous situations they encounter. The stories are endless, from completing long tasks for an entry-level job to being offered a job with a salary far below what they requested. Here are some of the wildest situations its members have had to face.

Crazy job requirements are shutting out qualified candidates.

"No Idea If This Will Work, But Hey - Worth The Try"

"This Is Your Only Means Of Interview" - So I Simply Refused"

"Minority Drawers" Should Be A Crime"

"I Am So Sick Of These Ridiculous Screening Questions"

"Goddamn This Felt Good"

"Reminder: You Are Good Enough"

"I Had To Take A Walk After This"

"I Would Watch That"

"A Linkedin Laugh"

"At 58, A Recruiter Says ‘Too Old To Code’—heartbreaking 😭"

"Interviewer Cancelled An Hour Before The Meeting. I Know My Worth"

"The Only Acceptable Application. 2 Seconds If You're Slow"

"I Cant Do This Anymore"

"The Companies vs. Me"

"I See Why Recruiters Ask Stupid Questions Now. I Apologize"

"Well!"

"Naming And Shaming Done Right"

"Gap In My Employment History, In 2017 I Was Fourteen"

"The State Of The 2024 Job Market"

"Just Going To Leave This Here"

"I'm Flipping The Script On Employers"

"Um…no?!?"

"Yep…"

"Recruiter: No One Wants To Work!!!"

"Girl- What?"

"Sick Of People Who Think Like This. Do You Live Under A Rock?"

"Got Hired To The Local Taco Bell, Did All The On-Boarding Paperwork Then Got This Message From Them A Few Days Later"

"Your Linkedin Job Application - The Real Numbers"

"After 6 Months Of Unemployment And Hundreds Of Rejections, This Is How I Started Seeing Other People. I'm Not Ok"

"Hiring Manager Accidental Reply All"

Job hunting today feels like finding a needle in a haystack—except the haystack is made of endless applications and ghosted emails. With impossible job requirements, waiting forever for replies, and salary offers barely covering your coffee habit, it’s no wonder many are ready to throw in the towel.

But hey, at least we’re all in this together, right? As more people share their experiences, there's hope that the madness might lead to some change. Until then, job seekers are left navigating a wild ride where the only thing guaranteed is that the struggle is real—and so is the coffee bill.

Damjan