Job hunting isn’t just annoying anymore, it’s actually making people feel worse:
- 72% of job seekers say the process negatively impacted their mental health. That’s a mental health crisis disguised as college-worthy hustle.
- Why? Endless applications, ghosting, toxic interviews… it all adds up. People lose momentum, motivation, and way too much sleep.
The old way of walking into a shop with a paper resume may have been hard. But it wasn’t as draining as it is now. Today’s job search is endless scrolls, automated systems, and reviewing rejection emails that say nothing.
There’s this unspoken expectation that you should treat job hunting like a full-time job. But what happens when that job offers no structure, no feedback, and no paycheck? Burnout. Anxiety. Even imposter syndrome. Some days, it feels like you’re just screaming and throwing resumes into an endless void. Other days, there’s wondering if you’ll ever hear back from anyone.
And there’s another twist: even when you land something, that mental damage lingers. You don’t just snap back from months of constant uncertainty and stress. Especially if the process made you question your skills, your worth, or your sanity.
If you’re feeling weary, frustrated, or burned out… it’s not on you. It’s the system. And that’s what we’re unpacking here.
Ghosting, Ghost Jobs & a Broken Process
You apply. You follow up. You even nail the interview. And then… crickets. No reply. No update. Just a black hole where communication used to be.
44% of job seekers say being ghosted is one of their biggest frustrations. And honestly? It should be.
We’re not talking about one-off situations here. This is widespread. Add in “ghost jobs” which are fake or outdated listings companies never actually planned to fill, and the whole process starts feeling like a trap.
32% of job seekers (especially Gen X) say ghost jobs are the most frustrating part of the hunt.
Why? Because you’re wasting real energy on fake opportunities.
It’s not only super rude. It’s exhausting. You craft the perfect resume, personalize the cover letter, maybe even take time off for an interview… and get nothing back. Again and again.
If you’re starting to take it personally, don’t. The current system is built to run cold-automated filters, spit out bulk rejections, and take zero accountability. That’s not on you. But it is something job seekers deserve better from.
Resume Lies, Half-Truths, and the Pressure to Perform
Nobody wants to lie on a resume. But when the system feels rigged, the temptation can be real.
48% of applicants admit they’ve either lied or thought about lying on their resumes. And that stat says more about the job search than it does about the job seekers.
People aren’t fabricating their entire careers. It’s more like they’re tweaking a job title to match the posting, stretching dates to cover gaps, or claiming “proficiency” in software they touched once in college.
But, why do people do it? Because they feel like they have to just to compete. It feels like every job wants five years of experience just for an entry-level spot, and ghost jobs and applicant tracking systems are killing your chances, small resume edits can start to feel like survival tactics.
But here’s the truth: Resume lies might get you in the door, but they can also slam it shut… fast. New hiring technologies and advanced background checks actually catch more than people think. If you’re frustrated trying to update your resume, it’s a good idea to focus on your transferable skills and find small ways to improve your resume… honestly. You don’t need to lie, you just need the right wording.
Have you tried TikTok?
A surprising 1 in 5 Gen Z job seekers are landing interviews through TikTok, and not just for influencer roles. We’re talking entry-level jobs, internships, even creative gigs.
Short-form video is becoming a portfolio, a personal brand, and a networking tool all in one. Gen Z is using it to pitch themselves, show off projects, or give employers a glimpse of who they are beyond the resume. And it’s working.
But it’s not just about going viral. The candidates who stand out are the ones who:
- Keep it short but specific
- Talk directly to employers in their niche
- Use their real voice (no AI script reciting)
- Treat it like a cover letter, just with better lighting
Is it for everyone? No. But if you’re comfortable on camera and applying to where EEO employment, creativity, communication, or personal brand matter… TikTok might be the new cover letter you didn’t know you needed.
What It All Says
Job hunting is stressful, emotional and it’s personal. It’s a full-time job on top of whatever else life is currently throwing at you. People are lying on resumes, wasting time on ghost jobs, getting ghosted by jobs, and still trying to show up every day with some kind of motivation.
It also shows that the rules are changing. Gen Z is getting interviews on TikTok. Workers are burning out on broken processes. AI is in the mix, but no one trusts it yet. And mental health? It’s not just an after-thought, it’s a major factor in whether people stay or go.
If you’re job hunting right now, here’s the real talk:
- You’re not imagining things being harder than they are, it really is hard out there.
- Take solace knowing you’re not the only one exhausted, frustrated, or feeling stuck.
- And no, it’s not just you. The current system has some serious catching up to do.
So, give yourself some credit. Then take a break if you need it, lie on your resume if you have to (just kidding… kinda), and keep doing what you can to stay you in the middle of all this mess.
