US techie shares why he feels 'unhireable' after 2,000 job recruiters ghost him

After sending more than 2,000 job applications without success, a US software engineer opened up about feeling “unhireable” despite having 25 years of experience, and his candid post has left professionals venting about the issues of navigating an increasingly frustrating job market.

Andrew, a Wisconsin-based software engineer, shared the detailed post on his X account, writing about the emotional toll of a prolonged job search and his growing concerns about modern hiring systems.

In the now-viral post, Andrew admitted he was struggling to make sense of his situation.

“I have a hard time believing that I am just unhireable,” he wrote, before adding that he found it even harder to believe that “my 25 years of experience is somehow negated by the format of my resume.”

According to him, after submitting more than 2,000 applications, he had started questioning whether automated hiring systems were working against him.

Andrew explained that he had reached out to dozens, possibly over a hundred, hiring managers in an attempt to understand what might be going wrong. However, he claimed he had received “ZERO response” to his enquiries.

He also alleged that after reverse engineering certain Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), he noticed troubling patterns in how resumes may be interpreted.

Among the examples he shared was how terms such as “founder” or “freelancer” could sometimes be translated by hiring systems into indicators of unemployment, potentially putting candidates at a disadvantage. While acknowledging that employers themselves configure these systems, he suggested that years spent successfully running businesses may now be unintentionally hurting his chances.

Reflecting on the uncertainty of the situation, Andrew said he had begun worrying about what retirement could look like if things did not improve.

Describing software development as virtually the only profession he had worked in since college, he admitted that a career switch at this stage felt unrealistic. He added that the prolonged struggle was beginning to affect not just his livelihood, but also the people who depend on him financially.

Despite the deeply personal nature of the post, Andrew clarified that he was not looking for sympathy or assigning blame, instead describing the post as a space to vent. He also acknowledged that many others appeared to be experiencing similar struggles in the current job market.

Take a look at the post here:

The post later sparked widespread discussion online, with many users sharing advice and personal experiences around navigating hiring systems and long job searches.

Several commenters suggested that Andrew update his rsum to better reflect the current tech landscape, recommending he include AI-related projects and mention productivity gains from using modern tools to appeal to recruiters and automated screening systems.

Others criticised ATS platforms more broadly, arguing that poorly designed filters often overlook qualified candidates, especially experienced professionals whose rsums may not fit keyword-heavy templates.

Some users also encouraged him to consider independent consulting or building software for small businesses, suggesting there may be demand for affordable, non-subscription-based software solutions outside traditional employment.

For many, the post struck a chord because it echoed a growing anxiety among job seekers: that in an era dominated by automation and rsum filters, even decades of experience may not always translate into opportunities.