They are convenient, which is why sometimes you get 29,000 applications for a job. But how is that helping anyone?

I had a friend who actually heard back as to a reason why he had been rejected. They said you don’t have 5 years of experience doing X. Well, that’s true. He had 14. She maintained that he didn’t have ENOUGH experience, rather than too much. I don’t know how her computer was calculating things…

They try to solve every problem by using this system, but the end result is worse problems.

Some day the market will turn around and you will find employers who just don’t get why they can’t get employees.

I cannot wait until that day happens.

It makes it all the more important that you network your way in, and not just apply online.

The problem, LTMG, is that you are rational. Other people are not, apparently.

And why don’t you speak fluent technical German? Everyone speaks that! :>)

Great article, Suzanne. I wish I could send it to everyone I applied to, as Charles does!

And thank you for this article, Suzanne.

In response to a municipal online application, I was told (not sure whether by software or an actual person) that I didn’t meet the minimum requirements, which was not true. I was actually overqualified in terms of certification and education.

Each of these fails, though, helps me think about how to tweak my information, and that has helped a little in at least getting better responses and a few interviews.

With these application systems, the job search has become much more about the applicant’s ability to outwit the system rather than their ability to do the job. Add to this employers refusal to do anything more than the most minimal on-the-job training and it is no wonder the economy is in the tank.