Ghosted By 2,000 Recruiters After 25 Years Of Experience, US Techie Feels ‘Unhireable’

A candid social media post by a seasoned US software engineer has gone viral after he detailed his struggle to secure employment despite years of experience and thousands of applications, sparking a wider debate on hiring systems and modern job markets.Andrew, a Wisconsin-based software engineer, said his prolonged job search had left him questioning how experience is evaluated in today’s recruitment landscape, especially after receiving no responses despite extensive outreach.In his viral post, he admitted the emotional weight of the situation, writing, “I have a hard time believing that I am just unhireable,” 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 Andrew, the frustration grew after submitting over 2,000 job applications, leading him to suspect that automated hiring filters may be playing a role in reducing his visibility to recruiters.He also claimed he had contacted numerous hiring managers to understand potential gaps in his applications, but said he received “ZERO response” despite reaching out widely.Andrew further discussed his attempts to analyse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), suggesting that certain keywords could unintentionally disadvantage candidates with non-traditional career paths.Among his observations, he noted that terms like “founder” or “freelancer” might be interpreted by some systems as indicators of unemployment, potentially impacting how resumes are ranked or filtered.Reflecting on his situation, he expressed concern about long-term financial stability and uncertainty around retirement if his job search continues to remain unsuccessful.He also acknowledged that software development had been his only professional field since college, making a career shift feel increasingly difficult at this stage of life, especially with ongoing financial responsibilities.Despite the frustration, Andrew clarified that his post was not meant as a plea for sympathy or blame, but rather a personal outlet, while also recognising that many job seekers face similar challenges today.

The post has since sparked broader discussion online, with some users advising him to modernise his resume with AI-related skills and highlight productivity improvements using newer tools to better align with current hiring trends.Others criticised ATS-driven recruitment systems, arguing that rigid keyword filters often fail to recognise experienced professionals whose resumes do not conform to standardised formats.Some commenters also suggested alternative paths such as independent consulting or building niche software solutions for small businesses, pointing to opportunities outside traditional corporate hiring channels.The discussion has resonated widely, reflecting growing concern that even decades of experience may not guarantee job security in an increasingly automated recruitment ecosystem.