Top 8 unhinged job application experiences
With unemployment rates on the rise, why are recruiters seemingly making it harder for people to apply for jobs?
A social media user is shining a spotlight on the realities of job hunting in 2026.
An Instagram user shared a video of himself typing on his laptop, then suddenly closing it.
"POV: You decide to just abandon the application coz [sic] they're asking for too much information," he captioned the clip.
With the rising unemployment rate, you would think that many of his followers would have encouraged him to "hang in there".
However, most agreed and shared their own experiences applying for jobs. It should be as simple as: see a job you like, email your CV and wait for a phone call.
However, these days, there are 101 extra steps before you even get to click "send" or "apply".
There's a quiz, 101 documents, and even a video.
Things have become so bad that it wouldn't surprise anyone if recruiters start asking for their Grade 1 report card, because, uhm, good work ethic starts from an early age.
"If the application is stressful, imagine if you get the job," one person noted.
Doing all these things for one or two job applications at a time doesn't feel like a nightmare, but after 50 applications, you are ready to pull out your hair.
Here's a look at some of the most common complaints about job applications on social media.
Create an account
Many companies often ask applicants to create an account or profile on their website to streamline the process. It makes sense at first, but after creating your 10th account, it starts to feel more like a headache.
It is a tedious administrative exercise, often with no reward. Not to mention the multiple passwords you have to remember.
What social media users say:
"Me applying for a job and they ask me to create an account. Byeeeee."
Upload CV... then fill it in manually
Creating an account is only the first of your admin tasks. After uploading your CV, you need to manually enter it into the provided boxes.
This can be frustrating. It also feels repetitive because you now have extra steps.
What social media users say:
"When they ask me to fill out the work history after just uploading a resume. Oh, you got me chopped up."
"What’s the point of asking for a cover letter and resume, and then you have to fill out the job application?!? No ma’am."
5-Page plus applications
Social media users agree that asking for "too much information" will make them abandon the entire application. Many noted that some applications take 20 minutes or more, while others ask for information that seems unnecessary.
What social media users say:
"And after all that, they still say the salary is 'undisclosed'."
"A lot of these jobs are actually missing out on qualified candidates because of these long, weird applications."
"One asked for my transcripts. Baby, I graduated golden yearssss ago, bye!"
"Because why is there a quiz on this application?"
"1 written prompt is pushing it, but when they ask for 3, I immediately close."
Tell me about yourself
One of people's job application pet peeves usually comes at the start of an interview or application: "So, tell us about yourself."
It seems like a silly question when they have all the information readily available in your CV, but many recruiters see it as an icebreaker.
It is one of the few questions applicants prepare for the most, and it helps them feel more confident.
Recruiters also don't expect you to just list your work experience or share a mini bio; they want you to show why you are the right person for the job.
Nonetheless, social media users have had enough of the question.
What social media users say:
"You have my resume, so what else do you wanna know? That I like long walks on the beach?"
"Write a paragraph saying why...*closes tab*."
Cover letter madness
Cover letters are a key part of the job application process. They allow you to brag about yourself and your achievements, especially the ones you could not add to your 2-page CV.
Cover letters also give you the opportunity to personalise your application and show recruiters why you think you are a good fit for the job.
However, if you are applying for multiple jobs in one sitting, cover letters start to get annoying.
What social media users say:
"No, literally, I'm not writing a cover letter for a BS job."
Record a short video
Most job applications do not ask potential candidates to record a short video, but it is becoming increasingly common.
Many candidates are put off by the request, because they have to "doll themselves up" to film a video, sometimes with multiple takes.
If that is not bad enough, whoever is recording the video for you is usually beside themselves with laughter as you put on your best telephone voice.
What social media users say:
"'Record a short video.' Okay??? Am I applying for a clown?"
"No, but like they asked me to send them a video of me answering the questions as an interview! And I was just applying for a job, I wasn’t even accepted to do an interview yet."
"Bruh! Like, do you want someone competent or nah? Coz how is a video of me talking about myself and a link from my LinkedIn going to prove that I can do the work?"
"'Record a voice note or a video.' I'll rather jump off the cliff."
Provide link to your social page
Some recruiters ask candidates to share links to their social media pages because, like LinkedIn, they can tell a lot.
However, many people have private social media accounts, while others don't use them at all.
What social media users say:
"'Provide a link for your social page.' Girl, what? Byeee."
"They boil my blood when they ask for social media account, record a video or explain what's in the CV I've already submitted."
"Like, why do you need to know if I’m married? And like, why do you need to know my socials?"
Ghosting/Rejection
After all that effort, you still get rejected, or even worse, ghosted. No, "We regret to inform you." You have been ghosted: after creating an account, filling out a 5-page application, and recording a 2-minute video.
Many recruiters don't even get to see all the submitted CVs, as they use AI and an application tracking system to automatically reject those that don't contain specific keywords and skills. Some AI tools can even rank CVs, allowing recruiters to choose the "best" of the bunch.
What social media users say:
"The painful part is when u stick it out and finish, and less than a day u get a rejection mail."
"Do all that just to get another rejection mail."
"No, because why do you want me to sit through a default post-application aptitude when your ATS is gonna reject my resume in the screening round?"
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