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Grad Job Hunt: Ghosted by 400 Employers
22 Apr
Summary
- Graduate applied for 400 jobs, receiving only three interviews.
- AI screening and high applicant volumes lead to employer ghosting.
- Unemployment rates for young people in the UK are at a decade high.
A graduate has described feeling "ghosted" by employers after applying for 400 jobs and receiving only three interviews. Karyna Lohvynenko, 21, who is pursuing a master's degree in governance and possesses international work experience, has applied for roles across various sectors, from politics to entry-level barista positions, without receiving responses from most.
Recruitment consultant Michael Jones notes that this phenomenon of employer ghosting is becoming increasingly common for job applicants in a highly competitive market. He believes that automated AI screening systems often filter out applications before a human reviewer sees them, contributing to the feeling of applications disappearing into a void.
The challenges faced by Karyna mirror a wider economic trend. Unemployment in the UK recently rose to its highest level in nearly five years, with a significant impact on young people aged 16 to 24. Their unemployment rate has climbed to 16.1%, the highest in over a decade, underscoring the difficulties many graduates face.
While some recent figures indicate a slight drop in unemployment, the competition for entry-level roles remains fierce. LinkedIn advises job seekers to focus on AI literacy, people skills, and highlighting achievements. Jones emphasizes that automated systems and sheer volume, not necessarily a lack of candidate ability, are often behind the lack of responses, though the impersonal nature of AI interviews can be disheartening.
