Can't relate. I work in software dev, and had to do a bout of job applications over a few weeks a bit ago.

Nearly every single job responded back asap confirming they got my application.

Most of the declines emailed me back to inform me they declined a week or two later.

I got several interviews, looking to asap connect.

Most were normal and standard process. One was way too many steps and wasted my time.

I got three offers tabled, and all were fine to give me a day or two to mull it over.i accepted the best offer and total was only unemployed for about 5 weeks total.

What I can say is hot damn has ChatGPT made the application process take like 1/10th the work lol

Did I make a simple little copy paste for chatgpt to quickly construct my cover letters? You bet your ass I did.

Did one job call me out on it? Yes they did. And they liked it and expressed that having someone who was comfortable using AI tools was actually a plus.

I sent out an LOT more than 20 applications though. I was averaging about 6 to 7 a day over 2 weeks, so prolly close to 120+ applications total.

Are they still complaining no one wants to work? I thought that reversed last year. When they WERE complaining about that, it WAS pretty damn easy to get a job. For entry level stuff anyway. I had my pick of the litter, but now finding a better job is near impossible again, the way it was before COVID.

I am so glad I am a Union member. I would probably be homeless if i had to deal with this shit. I mean, I have almost been homeless with my union, but without it I'd be screwed.

Don't use Indeed, dumbass. Talk to a headhunter. They get paid by employers to find you a job. Every single professional job I've ever had has come through a headhunter, and the jobs have been great.

The meta for getting jobs rn is through networking. IIRC something like 70% of job positions are not posted. I have worked in the tech industry and food industry and found this to be true in both. For tech, building a strong network is more important than any degree/cert you could get imo. I wouldn't even bother applying thru websites without a recommendation attached. I think ur time is better spent working on some sort of personal project and attending every conference/event in the area u can find for whatever ur tech domain is. Ideally if ur living in a tech "hub" or adjacent to one there usually is some sort of "area programming language/tech thing club" and joining is free. You can find them on facebook or meetup. Befriend some boomer nerds at them and eventually you'll get access to their "network" and will have a lot easier time landing a job. U can be upfront too by saying shit like "I am looking to expand my network" and this is an OK way to signal "Let me know about job openings that ur friends have" / "please introduce me to important people".