Looking for a job has never been easy, but it used to be simpler. In 2026, job hunting is more competitive, frustrating, and exhausting than perhaps ever before. Recent college grads and people transitioning in their careers have been sounding off on social media about how different the career landscape is now versus just a few years ago, and what it takes to finally get hired. AI screenings, and yikes, even interviews More candidates than ever are being filtered out of consideration almost immediately. Not by recruiters, but by robots. ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) have become more advanced and more prominent. They can eliminate resumes based on keywords, experience or lack thereof, and plenty of other “red flags” set by employers. An estimated 99% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS to screen applicants before they ever have human contact. Then there are interviews conducted not by humans, but by virtual chatbots. “I went through one, it was [extremely bizarre],” a Reddit user wrote. “It cuts you off at pauses to move on to its next question.” To be fair, this overuse of technology goes both ways. With modern tools and AI, job seekers can churn out custom resumes and apply to hundreds of jobs with almost no effort. That creates huge backlogs for recruiters and more competition than ever for open positions. “There are a lot more candidates, fewer jobs and it’s easier to apply than it ever has been so recruiters are overwhelmed and looking for the easiest ways to weed people out, whether that’s over relying on tools, only looking at the first few applicants or only taking people referred in,” a Reddit user noted. Ghost jobs galore “This is the worst job market I have experienced,” one Redditor lamented. “Most of the jobs don’t even really seem real.” Ghost jobs are listings that get posted but never filled, and they’re everywhere these days. The same roles are posted and reposted again and again, and job seekers are noticing. A job seeker recently wrote on Reddit: “I’ve noticed recruiters on LinkedIn posting the same job over and over, collecting 100+ applications and then remaking the same job. Word for word, exactly the same. I’ve seen the same 6 jobs ads at least 100 times in the past few months. I report these to LinkedIn, but they find ‘nothing reportable’ with this.” Companies may post jobs they have no intention of filling in order to: Give the illusion of growth Collect data on the candidate pool and job market Develop a passive talent pipeline Many ghost listings also pop up when companies plan to hire an internal candidate. Laws often require the job to be posted publicly for fairness, but that doesn’t mean those external candidates will be seriously considered. It can be extremely frustrating for anyone who’s seriously looking. Offshoring and remote work You’re no longer just competing with job seekers from your area. With the rise of remote work, many companies are accepting candidates nationwide (or, in some cases, worldwide), opening up an incredibly deep and competitive candidate pool. Worse, offshoring is sending many positions overseas, where workers are often more affordable—and it’s on the rise. “Worked at a Fortune 500 company. Started there in 2019 and it was great, all US employees about 100 people in IT,” a Redditor shared. About six months ago, they wrote that their company had outsourced the majority of its work internationally and was planning to lay off 80% of its staff. “I worked with people who were employed with this company for 25-30 years, many people retiring here as they paid very well,” the Redditor added. “That opportunity will no longer exist for the millennial generation and onward due to rampant offshoring and cost saving tactics.” 200+ applications is the norm Brace yourself. It might take over 200 applications to land a single interview. Photo credit: Canva Depending on who you ask, it might take 50, 100, or even more than 750 job applications to get an interview or land a job. Regardless of the exact figure, that number has risen dramatically in recent years. When you need to write a custom cover letter and tweak your resume for each application, it can be exhausting for job seekers. One Reddit user recently shared a success story about finally landing a job as a Kroger grocery clerk—after submitting more than 500 applications. “500 apps for a grocery clerk is insane,” read the top comment. Rounds and rounds (and rounds and rounds) of interviews One Redditor shared that they recently had to fill out a 172-question personality test with “weirdly invasive questions,” including ones about how they feel about their appearance. After that, they had to record a video introducing themselves. All just for a chance at getting a real interview. Experts agree that more companies now require far more extensive interview processes than in years past. These rounds can include homework, tests, personality assessments, intelligence quizzes, and several traditional interviews. You need experience to get experience This has been a conundrum for years: the entry-level job that requires five years of experience. But recent job seekers say it’s only gotten worse. Entry-level jobs have become really hard to land—if they haven’t been replaced altogether by AI. So is it all doom and gloom out there? The process has become harder, more complex, and more competitive. That’s for sure. But people who have made it through successfully say there are a few strategies that can help. What’s new that works, and what’s old that still works LinkedIn is the place to be Though not without its own issues, many people say LinkedIn is a good place to look for jobs because the listings are usually tied to a real person, like a recruiter. Putting a face to a job can go a long way. Job seekers say it’s more reliable than many aggregators, like Indeed and ZipRecruiter. If you can apply via the company website, even better. In fact, much better. Just avoid Easy Apply at all costs. Networking and referrals still work This is harder than ever, but also more important than ever. Some estimates suggest that getting a referral from an employee makes you about seven times more likely to be hired than a job board candidate. It may not be the advice anyone wants to hear, but keeping your network “warm” is a must in this job market. “I’ve had 2 interviews recently and the only reason is because I’ve reached out to the far limits of my network to find anything … it’s really the only way,” one Redditor suggested. Just get employed Traditional career paths are all but gone, and they’re not as stable as they once were. There’s no guarantee you’ll land an entry-level marketing job and stay in the industry for decades, working your way up. The most important thing is to take a job that pays your bills and worry about finding something better later. In a Reddit thread, a user debated whether they made the right decision in turning down a decent but not great job offer. In the past, they might have been advised to hold out for a better long-term position, but modern job seekers overwhelmingly agreed that being employed was the best outcome. “This is called a transition job. Take it, and use your free time to find a different job. Get paid in the meantime,” one person wrote. Job-hopping has traditionally been frowned upon, but younger people are finding, often the hard way, that the only way to get ahead—and earn a raise—is to leave for greener pastures. The BBC calls the stigma against job-hoppers “outdated.” Above all, hang in there The statistics aren’t on your side, and it may take over a year and hundreds of applications to find the right fit. It’s not just you. Finding community (through social media groups, friends, discussion boards, and more) can go a long way in helping you stay motivated. The post College grads get real about how drastically job hunting has changed and what’s helping them survive appeared first on Upworthy.

K-Pop Demon Hunters is moving from the screen to McDonald’s in the most delicious way. On March 31st, the chain will drop three new Demon Hunters specials— two meals and one McFlurry. First is the Huntr/X Meal, which includes a 10-piece Chicken McNugget box, a medium soft drink, and Ramyeon McShaker Fries. The shaker fries are similar to the seasonal Grinch fries introduced over the holidays. The side comes with a packet of soy, sesame, and garlic seasoning that you sprinkle over your fries and shake. The flavor is inspired by Rumi, Miraand, and Zoey’s favorite dish. The Huntr/X Meal is served with “a bold mustard sauce with heat and tang – made purple, just like demon patterns.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Snackolator (@snackolator) To keep the feud going, McDonald’s is also offering a Saja Boys Breakfast Meal. That comes with an egg Sausage McMuffin, Spicy Saja Sauce, hash browns, and a small Soda Pop (IFKYK). “With McDonald’s, we were able to turn the rivalry between The Saja Boys and Huntr/X into something fans can actually experience, drawing inspiration from Korean culture and food traditions that sit at the heart of the film,” Marian Lee, chief marketing officer for Netflix, said in a news release. McDonald’s Kicks Off a K-Pop Demon Hunter ‘Battle for the Fan’ And we can’t forget our favorite sidekick, Derpy the Tiger. He earned his own McFlurry, a vanilla soft serve with berry popping pearls in a wild berry sauce. The new offerings will lead to a fun “Battle for the Fans.” Collectible card packs come with each K-Pop Demon Hunter meal. And the McFlurry includes a Derpy the Tiger access card. “Fans can scan the QR code on each Derpy access card and enter the unique code on the McDonald’s App by April 26 to unlock first access to exclusive content and a special reveal of the group that wins the Battle for the Fans.”“Big things happen when you bring two massive fandoms together. And this partnership was a natural fit,” Alyssa Buetikofer, chief marketing and customer experience officer at McDonald’s, added. “We found authentic ways to unite our iconic worlds – inviting Huntr/X and Saja Boys fans into the rivalry in ways that feel true to the film and unmistakably McDonald’s.” This story’s featured image is by Katy Blackwood/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

A teenage Texan has earned a commendation given fewer than 300 times in the history of the Boy Scouts after saving his scout leader from drowning in rapids. Devon Champenoy was one of several teen scouts from Houston rafting down class 3 rapids at a summer camp in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Scout leader David […] The post Teen Lifesaver Awarded One of Scouting’s Highest Honors After Harrowing Whitewater Rescue appeared first on Good News Network.

A single door can open up a world of endless possibilities. For homeowners, the front door of their house is a  gateway to financial stability, job security, and better health. Yet for many, that door remains closed. Due to the rising costs of housing, 1 in 3 people around the world wake up without the security of safe, affordable housing.  Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has made it their mission to unlock and open the door to opportunity for families everywhere, and their efforts have paid off in a big way. Through their work over the past 50 years, more than 65 million people have gained access to new or improved housing, and the movement continues to gain momentum. Since 2011 alone, Habitat for Humanity has expanded access to affordable housing by a hundredfold.  A world where everyone has access to a decent home is becoming a reality, but there’s still much to do. As they celebrate 50 years of building, Habitat for Humanity is inviting people of all backgrounds and talents to be part of what comes next through Let’s Open the Door, a global campaign that builds on this momentum and encourages people everywhere to help expand access to safe, affordable housing for those who need it most. Here’s how the foundation to a better world starts with housing, and how everyone can pitch in to make it happen.  Volunteers raise a wall for the framework of a new home during the first day of building at Habitat for Humanity’s 2025 Carter Work Project. Globally, almost 3 billion people, including 1 in 6 U.S. families, struggle with high costs and other challenges related to housing. A crisis in itself, this also creates larger problems that affect families and communities in unexpected ways. People who lack affordable, stable housing are also more likely to experience financial hardship in other areas of their lives, since a larger share of their income often goes toward rent, utilities, and frequent moves. They are also more likely to experience health problems due to chronic stress or environmental factors, such as mold. Housing insecurity also goes hand-in-hand with unstable employment, since people may need to move further from their jobs or switch jobs altogether to offset the cost of housing.  Affordable homeownership creates a stable foundation for families to thrive, reducing stress and increasing the likelihood for good health and stable employment. Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs homes with individual families, but it also strengthens entire communities as well. The MicroBuild® Initiative, for example, strengthens communities by increasing access to  loans for low-income families seeking to build or repair their homes. Habitat ReStore locations provide affordable appliances and building materials to local communities, in addition to creating job and volunteer opportunities that support neighborhood growth.  Marsha and her son pose for a photo while building their future home with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity in Georgia. Everyone can play a part in the fight for housing equity and the pursuit of a better world. Over the past 50 years, Habitat for Humanity has become a leader in global housing thanks to an engaged network of volunteers—but you don’t need to be skilled with a hammer to make a meaningful impact. Building an equitable future means calling on a wide range of people and talents.Here’s how you can get involved in the global housing movement: Speaking up on social media about the growing housing crisis  Volunteering on a Habitat for Humanity build in your local community Travel and build with Habitat in the U.S. or  in one of 60+  countries where we work around the globe Join the Let’s Open the Door movement and, when you donate, you can create your own personalized door  Shop or donate at your local Habitat ReStore Every action, big and small, drives a global movement toward a better future. A safe home unlocks opportunity for families and communities alike, but it’s volunteers and other supporters, working together with a shared vision, who can open the door for everyone.  Visit habitat.org/open-door to learn more and get involved today.  The post A safe, stable home can change lives for the better. Here’s how Habitat for Humanity wants to make that possible for everyone. appeared first on Upworthy.

When an 8-month-old’s stroller was blown into a lake, a terrifying moment quickly unfolded. A nearby man didn’t hesitate—jumping in to rescue the baby and bringing her safely back to shore.