Ghosting and TikTok: Resume Genius survey reveals latest job hunting trends

Resume Genius expert shares 3 tips to avoid job-hunting frustration

October 3, 2024 2:42 PM

Man sitting in front of laptop, holding glasses in hand and pinching nose, stressed

Job hunting is stressful on a good day — but negative experiences can take an especially large toll on mental wellness.

Resume Genius surveyed 1,000 current job seekers to find out how their searches are going, and 72% said the process was negatively impacting their mental health. While 24% of these said job hunting always takes a negative toll, 31% said it is worse now than it has ever been for them and 17% said they have never been affected in the past, but are now. The level of impact also varied slightly by generations, with 74% of Gen Z and millennials reporting ill effects versus 70% of Gen X and 56% of baby boomers.

The reasons for feeling strained vary, but 44% of respondents said being ghosted by employers was a big factor. Another 32% said they have encountered ghost jobs — posted positions that are not being filled — and 31% said the amount of job scams they see are a point of frustration. Low-paying roles, unrealistic job requirements and feeling unqualified also made the list.

"Job seekers are feeling overwhelmed not just by ghosting or ghost jobs, but by a combination of factors that make the process feel demoralizing," says Eva Chan, lead career expert at Resume Genius. "Low-paying jobs and unrealistic requirements leave them feeling undervalued, while applying to jobs they're overqualified for, or seeing roles re-posted with no updates, makes the whole process feel like a time-wasting loop. When someone's livelihood is on the line, these constant setbacks can lead to serious stress and anxiety."

To keep from getting discouraged, Chan encourages job hunters to prioritize manageable goals, such as keeping their resume in top shape, brushing up on skills and networking, and focusing on small wins. The Resume Genius survey also revealed that outside of traditional networking and recruiting avenues such as job fairs and search engines, younger job seekers are having success landing interviews through social media platforms such as TikTok — a sign that thinking outside the box can accelerate job success.

Chan shares additional advice on how applicants can stay mentally strong, why employers may not be responding, and why TikTok may be a good way to get noticed.

Stay mentally sound

"It's important to take breaks, stay connected with supportive people, and remember that rejection is part of the process, not a reflection of your worth," Chan says. "Keep things in perspective and maintain a healthy balance by setting boundaries, like limiting how many hours a day you spend on your job search, to make the process more manageable."

Don’t let ghosting get you down

Separate research from Resume Genius shows that 80% of hiring managers have ghosted applicants — but it's not personal.

"Employers often ghost applicants because they're overwhelmed with too many candidates and don't have the resources to follow up with everyone," says Chan. "Sometimes they're also still searching for the right candidate and feel pressure to make the perfect hiring decision, which can cause delays in communication."

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Get creative with employer communication

"TikTok is catching on with younger job seekers because it lets them be themselves and show off their creativity in ways that a traditional resume just can't," says Chan. "Instead of sticking to a stiff format, they can use videos to highlight their skills, personality, and even what makes them unique — all in a fun, interactive way.

Many companies appreciate this because it's a fresh way to see how candidates think and solve problems and observe their tech-savviness. Instagram and surprisingly LinkedIn are also platforms where job seekers are getting creative with short-form content, using stories and reels to showcase their digital portfolio and build their personal brand."