Best Job search strategies 2026: Employee says getting a job in 2026 is 10x harder, shares strategy hacks – others react on his new approach

Job search strategies 2026: A Reddit user’s post about how tough it is to find a job in 2026 has struck a chord with job seekers across the internet. In a Reddit thread on r/careerguidance, he described applying to 50–100 jobs, even with a good CV, solid skills, and completed projects, and still hearing nothing, not even a rejection.

Why Getting a Job in 2026 Feels 10x Harder

The silence, often no response at all, can wear you down, he wrote, leading people to question their degree, skills, and even career path. But he also offered hard-earned insights into what might actually help in today’s crowded job market.

How AI Resume Screening and ATS Filters Are Impacting Job Seekers

According to the post, it’s not that candidates aren’t capable, it’s that:
The market is very crowded, and companies are extremely selective. He noted that many applications never even reach a human reviewer because of filters and AI screening systems used by employers.

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Strategy Hacks That May Improve Your Chances of Getting Hired

Instead of blasting out the same CV to dozens of jobs, the poster shared a few approaches that have seemed to produce better results, as per the Reddit post:

• Tailoring applications rather than sending the same resume everywhere.
• Building tangible proof of work with projects, internships, and freelance jobs.
• Reaching out to people directly instead of relying solely on “Easy Apply”.
• Learning in-demand skills rather than just trending ones.

What Reddit Users Say About Today’s Hiring Process

Other Redditors added their own experiences, amplifying the theme:
One commenter shared they applied to around 200 jobs with only about five interviews, and only landed work through networking and a personal connection, even at a lower salary and more grunt work than before.

Another noted that ghosting and dismissive behavior extends beyond initial applications, even people getting interviews sometimes stop hearing back, leaving applicants unsure whether they’re still in the process.

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A few pointed out the sheer volume of applicants makes standing out extremely difficult, while others suggested that LinkedIn’s algorithm and job boards aren’t helping, sometimes screening candidates unpredictably.

The frustration echoed by this thread aligns with broader trends. Many job seekers now face more competition, automated resume filters, and fewer human responses, a pattern people across industries and experience levels are noticing.

FAQs

Why does getting a job in 2026 feel harder than before?
Many applicants say there are simply more candidates per role, and automated screening systems filter out resumes before a human sees them.

Why does getting a job in 2026 feel harder than before?
Many applicants say there are simply more candidates per role, and automated screening systems filter out resumes before a human sees them.