By Jacob Rueda
The May jobs report from the U.S. Department of Labor showed 272,000 jobs were added to the economy. Along with that, figures released June 7, 2024 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show there was just over five million hires. But despite the strong showing in the economy, some job seekers say the are struggling to find a job.
Jenna Jackson from Pennsylvania was laid off from her job as a management consultant in 2023. She told CNBC in February that despite applying for "hundreds" of jobs, she was still unemployed. She is not alone.
Although the May jobs report shows gains, some job seekers still face challenges in the current job market. One of the problems lies in how companies search for employees, among other factors.
"I think the first thing is it's a sense of curiosity from the company because it doesn't cost them much if anything to post these jobs online," said Tyler Morgan, a former job recruiter who freelances helping job seekers improve their resumes and presentation skills.
Job boards like Glassdoor, Monster, and Indeed allow companies to post a certain number of jobs for free. Consequently, it does not affect them whether they keep a job posting up or take it down.
However, Morgan said that just because a job is posted does not necessarily mean a company is looking to fill that position. Instead, they may just be posting a job to see what the lay of the land looks like.
"So, if I'm a tech company and I have someone for front line technical support, but I want someone for a second level [and] I'm in a really remote area," said Morgan, "I could post online and say, 'Okay, who out there meets these criteria who applies?"
According to Morgan, if no applicants meet the company's expectations or requirements, or if no one applies at all, the company might simply take the job posting down. As a result, applicants remain unaware of why they never hear back from that employer.
This is just one way companies make it difficult for job seekers to find work. Another way is in the application process itself.
Nowadays, some companies use platforms like Workday for job applicants to apply, if they're not using an in-house system. While it may be convenient for companies, not all job seekers feel the same way about it.
Applicants have complained in the past about Workday, saying it is repetitive, cumbersome, and impersonal. Morgan said even though applicants complain about Workday, some companies may not do anything to change or get rid of it.
"I would say that I don't think companies are doing much," he said, "If anything, they're actually making it worse by adopting these systems instead of telling these software providers to fix it and then [they'll] adopt it."
Adding to that is the reported claims against Workday's screening process. In a lawsuit filed in San Francisco, the company was accused in 2023 of using artificial intelligence to screen out applicants on the basis of race, age, and disability.
Morgan said that even if a person has an impeccable resume, there is a high probability that it won't get reviewed, especially when they applied for a job with a high number of applicants. It is the reason why landing an interview is a challenge unto itself.
The frustration of finding a job can deplete a person mentally. That is why it is good to have resources to help job seekers maintain peace of mind during the process.
"I can't stress the importance of ensuring that your own mental health is at the forefront of your mind through this process," Morgan said, "and that you realize that this situation, whether it be negative or potentially positive, doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to be this way forever."
Seeking mental health treatment through a therapist or just talking to a friend or someone in general helps relieve the stress of job hunting. Morgan also recommends continuing education as a means to update or gain new job skills altogether.
"Look up websites like Coursera or Udemy or going back to school," he said, "Or whatever the case may be to affordably build up that skill set that people may want."
Coursera offers free and low-cost classes and certifications on a number of different skill sets, including information technology, bookkeeping, and artificial intelligence. Udemy also provides affordable courses on a wide range of subjects, from technology to communication.
Another source is YouTube. However, Morgan recommends watching videos that are less than five years old to stay current with today's job market.
Educating oneself and maintaining mental health not only helps alleviate the stress of job hunting, but also provides hope for the future.
"Just put in the effort and the time and it will pay off," Morgan said.
Watch the interview with Tyler Morgan below:
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