“The Job Hunt Jungle: Getting to the Elusive Face to Face Interview!”

I was chatting to a colleague of mine, and she shared with me how desperately unhappy she is where she’s working, and her ongoing struggle to get a face to face interview!
This pic made me chuckle and thought I’d stitch this piece together…

In today’s job market, getting a face-to-face interview feels a bit like trying to meet Axl Rose by filling out an online form. You’re not even sure if anyone read your résumé, or if it went straight to the digital black hole where cover letters go to die.

First, there’s the Applicant Tracking System—a glorified robot bouncer that decides whether your résumé gets in or gets ghosted, often because you didn’t use the sacred keywords like “synergy” or “pivot.” Then comes the “Easy Apply” trap, which is neither easy nor effective. It’s like bellowing your name into a stadium hoping someone with a clipboard hears you.

Networking? That’s the modern-day treasure map. You need a friend, of a friend, who once shared an Uber with the hiring manager’s cousin. Cold emails are the new cold calls—except now you get ghosted digitally and emotionally.

And if you do manage to get a screening call, it often feels like you’re auditioning for a role you didn’t even know existed: “Professional Self-Made Under Water Pop Up Toaster Technician Who Is Enthusiastic About Vague Job Descriptions.”

But hey, chin up. Keep tailoring that résumé, polishing that LinkedIn, and practicing your “I’m definitely not desperate” smile. One day soon, you’ll break through the algorithms, the gatekeepers, and the 497,000 other applicants—and score that sacred Teams link. Or, if the stars align, an actual in-person interview. Remember those?

Stay strong, job warrior. The grind is real, but so is your worth. 💪

Comments welcomed, as always!

MC