Blaming a “broken” hiring system for your job search struggles can become a self-fulfilling prophecy
Most job seekers are losing out on job opportunities because they’ve absorbed a steady stream of negative language that convinces them the system is rigged. That belief shapes how they interpret the job market, how they react to setbacks and how they present themselves throughout the hiring process.
Language influencing mindset is known as linguistic relativity, which shapes expectations that lead you to see obstacles either as challenges or as barriers. From my interactions with job seekers and observations on LinkedIn, it’s clear that the language used by job seekers and others (e.g., media, career coaches, recruiters, hiring managers, resume writers) convinces many people that they face overwhelming obstacles.
The language job seekers choose to hear (“The hiring system is broken,” “It shouldn’t be this hard to find a job”) has convinced them that employers don’t know how to hire, are biased, searching for unicorns or making lowball offers.
Is this happening? Yes, but not nearly to the extent that media, resume writers and self-proclaimed career coaches would have you believe.
Your meticulously tailored resume, aligned with the job description, wasn’t sidelined by the employer’s applicant tracking system (ATS). Your resume may simply have been overtaken by someone just as qualified who presented themselves better, got luckier or applied sooner.
Those who profit off job seekers want them to blame the ATS so they can sell their “I can write you an ATS-friendly resume” service. Because no two ATSs are configured the same, including workflow setup, knockout questions and keyword rules, there is no such thing as a universal ATS-friendly resume. The premise was manufactured as a deceptive marketing tactic, similar to when cigarette manufacturers once claimed smoking had health benefits.
Given the number of resumes employers face, candidates who apply within 48 hours of a posting going live move through the hiring pipeline faster, being classified as either “Let’s check their digital footprint” or “Pass.” Resumes that arrive after 48 hours often won’t be reviewed. (This is a generalization, not an absolute.) In job searching, the early bird often does catch the worm.
It’s not the ATS.
It’s not AI.
It’s capacity.
It’s timing.
It’s luck.
It’s volume.
It’s supply and demand.
In many fields, there are more qualified applicants than openings. As AI and robotics expand, the applicant-to-job ratio, especially for white-collar roles, will continue to increase. This pressure is made worse by the language people use to describe the job market.
News amplifies our natural negativity bias by highlighting job cuts, slowing hiring, AI-driven job losses and recession warnings. It’s no surprise that job seekers who consume this content believe the market is an apocalyptic wasteland.
Social media is an even more influential “brain-altering” medium, filled with rage toward employers and false narratives that shift responsibility away from job seekers’ own decisions.
Think about the words job seekers use or hear when discussing their job search, or the language used by those selling services:
- ageism, racism, sexism
- bias
- broken
- brutal
- fake
- ghosting
- lowballing
- rigged
- scam
- screwed
- unfair
These words shape a negative perception of the job market, foster anxiety and hurt self-esteem and are exploited by resume writers and career coaches because negativity sells.
I’ve observed that people who avoid consuming news and engaging heavily on social media tend to gain a calmer mind, which is helpful when job searching. A calm mind supports clearer thinking, better planning and a greater ability to manage emotions and stay focused on goals. The anger many job seekers display publicly, making them appear unprofessional, often stems from not having that calm. A clearer mind leads to clearer decisions, and that directly improves how job seekers present themselves and respond to setbacks.
One of the most beneficial steps you can take in your job search is to stop checking the news, stop doomscrolling and stop reading the “woe is me” posts from job seekers seeking sympathy. Misery loves company. Don’t let other people’s words, especially those who profit from your anxiety, shape your view of the market. People are hired every day. Don’t let negative language erode your confidence or your optimism that there’s a light at the end of your job search tunnel.
Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job.
The views, opinions, and positions expressed by our columnists and contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of our publication.
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