The Job Market Is Broken: So How Do You Get Hired?

Nine experienced professionals posting about their job search in a single day was enough for Tisha to hit pause, so she and Rick recorded this impromptu midweek episode on what's really happening in today's hiring market. Rick brings the data: unemployment that looks steady but is quietly growing, senior roles drawing 150 applicants per post, "easy apply" culture, application tracking systems (ATS) scanning CVs in milliseconds, and job postings that may never lead to a hire. Tisha brings the lived experience: hours poured into applications that disappear into the void, and a psychological cost nobody is measuring. Then they get practical. Slow down. Build real relationships and human referrals instead of firing off cold applications. Lean into your network, or start building one. Gather testimonials. Create content about what you know. Tisha closes on nonlinear career paths, why shame is a form of people pleasing, and how The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron can help when you feel stuck. Honest, passionate, and a true Tisha-and-Rick debate, for anyone navigating a job search right now or supporting someone who is. 00:00 Awareness and Action: The Importance of Engagement 01:48 Navigating the Job Market: Current Challenges 04:30 Generational Attitudes: Shifting Perspectives on Employment 10:31 The Impact of Technology: Job Applications and AI 19:28 The Psychological Cost: Employment and Well-being 30:56 The Impact of AI on Job Applications 33:56 Understanding Psychological Costs in Job Searching 34:51 Exploring Solutions for Job Seekers 37:11 Strategies for Effective Job Applications 42:15 Leveraging Your Network for Opportunities 46:36 Building a Supportive Network for Mental Health 51:54 Creating Content to Enhance Visibility 57:22 Navigating Nonlinear Career Paths Join the newsletter: https://played3.com/?newsletter=1 📢 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform: Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | YouTube 📱Follow Play Ed3 Podcast on: Instagram:   / played3podcast   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/played3podcast YouTube:    / @played3podcast   🙋‍♀️Follow Tisha on: Instagram:   / tishaponcio   X (Twitter): https://x.com/tishaponcio TikTok:   / tishaponcio   🙋‍♂️Follow Rick on: Instagram:   / rickbutterworth   X (Twitter): https://x.com/r1ck11 TikTok:   / rickbutterworth   Want to be a guest?: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA... 🧠 Let's learn, grow and play together