Job seekers vent frustration over wasted applications, urging recruiters to end fake job ads and improve hiring transparency.
A SIMPLE message from a frustrated job seeker has triggered a wider online discussion, with many applicants saying they are tired of spending hours applying for roles that may not even be actively hiring.
The Threads post, which gained attention among job seekers, called on recruiters to be more transparent when advertising vacancies.
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The post read: “Dear recruiters, please don’t post job vacancies if you’re not actively hiring. Every job application takes time and effort.
“We tailor our CVs, write personalised cover letters, and wait for responses with hope. When a position isn’t actually available, it wastes both the applicant’s and the recruiter’s time.
“Please make the hiring process more transparent and respectful for everyone. And that’s not even mentioning the scammers.”
The post struck a chord with many job seekers, who shared similar experiences of applying for multiple positions, only to receive no response or later discover that the advertised roles were no longer available.
For many applicants, job hunting is not simply about clicking an “apply” button. Each application can involve researching the company, customising CVs, writing cover letters and preparing emotionally for a potential interview opportunity.
Some netizens agreed that unclear hiring practices add unnecessary stress to an already challenging job market, especially for those actively searching for employment.
Others also highlighted growing concerns over fake job advertisements and scams, where applicants risk wasting time, sharing personal information or even falling victim to fraudulent recruitment schemes.
While companies may advertise vacancies for various reasons, including building a talent pool or maintaining a database of potential candidates, job seekers argue that clearer communication would help manage expectations and create a more respectful hiring process.
“Yes, agreed. Sometimes I don’t think they are really hiring… some are just trying to get free exposure,” one user commented.
“At least be transparent about how many candidates you need. Once you’ve found the right person, maybe stop accepting applications or remove the job post instead of letting people keep applying unnecessarily,” another wrote.
“Totally agree! At least give applicants a response. If you’re just going to leave us hanging, then don’t post the vacancy in the first place. Then you say you don’t have time to check thousands of applications because you’re only human. But somehow you have time to create job postings? Seriously, that’s so frustrating,” a third user added.
