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Finding a job in 2025 is becoming an uphill battle. The digital hiring landscape has transformed how companies evaluate candidates, but many job seekers feel lost.
MyPerfectResume’s latest Job Search Behavior report uncovers job seekers’ struggles, from feeling invisible to hiring systems to taking desperate measures to secure employment.
The survey highlights frustration as job seekers navigate applicant tracking systems (ATS), quick-apply tools, and an increasingly competitive job market. With fewer job opportunities and mounting obstacles, many resort to unconventional and sometimes risky tactics to improve their chances.
Job Search Challenges in 2025: Key Survey Insights
- 59% of job seekers believe less than a quarter of their applications reach a human recruiter.
- 27% admit to lying on job applications to improve their chances.
- 71% apply to jobs outside their industry due to a lack of relevant opportunities.
- 42% settle for jobs they are overqualified for to secure employment.
What this means: Job seekers feel discouraged by hiring processes that seem impersonal and automated. As competition increases, many adjust their strategies or take drastic measures to get noticed.
The Job Search “Black Hole”
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) were created to streamline hiring, but many job seekers feel like their resumes vanish into a black hole.
- 31% believe a recruiter reviews fewer than 10% of their applications.
- Another 28% of job seekers think only 11-25% are seen.
- Less than 1 in 5 (19%) believe most of their applications ever reach a human.
Here’s a visualization of the data above:
What this means: ATS filters out applications before recruiters see them, leaving job seekers uncertain about how to stand out. Optimizing resumes with industry-specific keywords and tailoring applications to each role has become critical.
Desperation Driving Risky Job Search Tactics
Job seekers are taking unconventional approaches to overcome job search barriers:
- 27% admit to lying on applications out of desperation.
- 71% apply outside their industry despite lower chances of success.
- 42% take jobs they are overqualified for to avoid prolonged unemployment.
What this means: The pressure to find work leads job seekers to stretch the truth or settle for roles that don’t match their skills. While these tactics may secure short-term employment, they can impact long-term career growth.
Quick-Apply Tools Aren’t Delivering Results
Platforms like LinkedIn’s Easy Apply and other job board features promise a streamlined application process, but they don’t always yield positive results:
- 41% of job seekers have never landed an interview through quick-apply tools.
- Only 10% report repeated success using these features.
- 19% avoid quick-apply altogether, believing it’s not worth their time.
What this means: While quick-apply features save time, they don’t necessarily lead to more interviews. Job seekers may need to invest in more personalized applications to improve their chances of success.
Career Changes and Overqualification Becoming the Norm
With limited opportunities in their current fields, many job seekers are shifting career paths or accepting lower-level roles:
- 71% have applied to jobs outside their industry, yet only 24% have successfully switched.
- 42% are overqualified for roles they apply to, signaling a willingness to accept lower-level positions.
This graphic explains the data above:
What this means: Changing industries remains challenging, even for highly skilled workers. Those considering a career pivot may need to develop new skills or network strategically to increase their chances of success.
How Job Seekers Can Improve Their Chances
With ATS filtering out applications before recruiters see them, job seekers must focus on making their resumes ATS-friendly by using industry-specific keywords and tailoring their applications to match job descriptions more closely.
Many job seekers are also broadening their search by applying outside their industry, but success remains limited. Applicants should research transferable skills and highlight them effectively in resumes and cover letters to improve their chances.
The rise of quick-apply tools has not translated into more interview opportunities for job seekers. To increase their chances of success, applicants should avoid mass-applying and instead focus on crafting personalized applications that directly address a company’s needs.
Networking can also play a key role — connecting with industry professionals, attending job fairs, and contacting recruiters directly can open doors that ATS systems might otherwise close.
For press inquiries, contact Nathan Barber at nathan.barber@bold.com.
Survey Methodology
The findings were based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. job seekers conducted on February 5, 2025. The survey included multiple-choice and scale-based questions assessing job application experiences, hiring challenges, and perceptions of the modern job search process.
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6 in 10 Job Seekers Say Their Applications Go Unseen: Job Search Challenges in 2025
Dr. Jasmine Escalera, a seasoned Career Expert with 15+ years of experience, dedicated to supporting professionals in finding the right roles, fostering inclusive workplaces, and advocating for equitable pay.
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