What It’s Like to Apply and Never Be Seen

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it actually means to look for a job in America right now.

Not from the perspective of a career coach or recruiter. But from the perspective of someone who’s in it. Deep in it.

📝 You apply. You revise. You optimize. You scroll through endless listings that all start to feel the same. You craft a thoughtful cover letter, double-check your keywords, and click submit. Then you wait.

⏳ And wait.

And most of the time, nothing happens. Not even a rejection. Just silence.

It’s hard to overstate how soul-crushing that can feel, especially when you’re qualified. Especially when you care.

Over the last few months, I’ve started to question everything I thought I knew about how hiring works. I’ve read conflicting advice from “experts.” I’ve seen friends with amazing résumés get ghosted, while others admit they’re using tactics that feel… a little off.

🤖 Bots.
✍️ AI rewrites.
📨 Résumé spamming.
💸 Some are even paying services to apply on their behalf.

And if I’m being honest, I can’t blame them.

Because when you’re locked out of the system, you start looking for side doors.

The job search process doesn’t just feel broken. It feels like it’s designed to be impossible. Opaque. Demoralizing. And deeply unfair.

That’s why I’m starting something new. Not because I have the answers. But because I think it’s time to ask better questions.

🔍 I want to understand what’s really going on behind the curtain.
👀 Who gets seen.
🚫 Who gets filtered out.
❓And why.

I’m launching a fully anonymous, public investigation into the hidden structure of the modern job market. It starts here, with this story. And it continues with yours.

If you’ve ever felt like you were shouting into the void, I’m listening.
And I’d be very grateful if you shared your experience here:
The Hidden Job Market – Survey

Let’s shine some light where it’s been dark for too long.

More soon.

P.S.
If this topic resonates with you, you might also be interested in my other ongoing series:

• “We Are the Cavalry” — a deep dive into democratic collapse, civic resilience, and why we can’t wait for someone else to save the country.
• “AI and the Future of Work” — exploring automation, labor disruption, and how we can build a more humane economy in the age of artificial intelligence.

Both are available on my profile, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on them too.