A desperate out-of-work employee opens up about the dehumanization of the interview process till he actually got a job: 'Be human, trust in yourself, and good things will come.'

Author image for María Cetra
María Cetra • Writer
Jun 23, 2026 1:00 PM EDT

Being unemployed is nobody's fantasy. Day after day, send resumes just to be disqualified by an AI system that doesn't care if you're the next Einstein or a simple worker who needs a job to sustain their family.

This is the current state of the world, no jobs, no work, no suitable candidates that exceed the unrealistic expectations that AI resume electors aprove. Every listing requires workers to create a whole new CV with great qualifications, amazing recommendations, and out-of-this-world experience. Well, the truth is, soon nobody would be perfect enough. The requirements change every time someone archives them. There is no real bar because a computer is better than a human at being productive. In the end, we are not really fighting each other for a position. We are fighting a system that rejects anything human.

In this Reddit story, the unemployed user is describing the feeling of constant rejection that can only be caused by the current state of the job market. We are nothing more that number forever applying to positions that can only be filled by nepo-babies or computers. It has changed so much that it started a wave of influencers and human resources employees to start ranting about what we can do differently, as if there was a formula that worked. But there isn't. This user got the job for being human. He had the same qualifications as probably half of the people who applied. He wasn't better than everyone, he just did the best interview that he could, was relaxed, and treated the questions as a normal conversation. He treated everyone kindly and was confident in his humanity. Eventhough it seems as if there is no more place for actual workers, there is, AI can't replace us all. Our humanity and values makes as valuable and needed for jobs. 
 

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  • 01
    Two women talking, sitting around a table, model image.
    via wocintechchat

    Two women talking, sitting around a table, model image. 

  • 02
    It's been months.. and months.. and months endlessly applying to jobs I did not want in the slightest. Only to be met with rejections over and over. For anyone in that situation there is light at the end of the tunnel
    via enterspace-co
  • 03
    I applied to 112 jobs in one day; genuinely throwing darts at a wall, not a dartboard, and hoping one of them sticks. Obviously, I hear nothing on the day except for 2 immediate, automated rejection emails (why even post the listing in the first place).
    via enterspace-co
  • 04
    Morning comes and I'm greeted by a call from the ONE place i genuinely wanted to work: FoH at a very very prestigious members lounge. No word of a lie this was the only listing I took time to fill out and tweak afew words on. Regardless, they invited me for an interview the next day and I went to bed genuinely nervous.
    via enterspace-co
  • 05
    Next day comes & i arrive at the location but always have to do a pre-interview pep talk; Usually just find a bench around 2 mins away to collect myself & go in with the right mindset. Anyone who's struggling with interviews, i really recommend taking this small step. Even if you're there 30 seconds, it helps, and gives you something to lead with. (If it's a park afew them probably go there for lunch.
    via enterspace-co
  • 06
    Bit of waiting and I'm sat down by someone from management to start the official face to face interview. Very very very basic questions, literally just the Al examples of generic interview questions, which I'm used to, so that wasn't an issue. I believe she was simply measuring me, so I took a different approach.
    via enterspace-co
  • 07
    Instead of emphasising the situations themselves I simply framed my answers as a conversation, rather than selling myself. I was so sick of the humiliation ritual and felt if I just regurgitated stories I don't care about, why should she? Had afew laughs & really just acted like I was already apart of the team.
    via enterspace-co
  • 08
    We wrap up and go for a tour of the building. 8 floors of pure eye- candy for an interior design lover, also the entire team was so kind & welcoming. Im sold. At this point im thinking this is the best interview ive ever had. For every reason. I get ready to leave & she tells me it's time to meet the "boss".
    via enterspace-co
  • 09
    I was under the impression my interviewer was the manager, but she was only one of them, this was the managers manager. Same again. We chat and it's just going so well, im thinking when am I going to sh myself or fall flat on my face to somehow mess this up. Thankfully, the drawls remained unstained and I left with my dignity.
    via enterspace-co
  • 10
    Got those post interview jitters, thinking about everything I said. Sun comes out & 10 minutes later I get a call from one of the managers regarding some personal information. She ends the call with "you'll hear from us in a couple of days". Not even 20-30 minutes later I get an email with the offer.
    via enterspace-co
  • 11
    Wish I could bottle that feeling & give it to everyone on this sub. No one really prepares you for how dehumanising this whole process can become. Some first round interviews were just basic questions that are evaluated by Al. How is Al supposed to gauge how personable or capable someone is? It's really as bad as everyone says it is and don't let anyone get you down or make you feel crazy.
    via enterspace-co
  • 12
    It's TOUGH out here. But, if I can offer any advice, it would be: stop being a robot. Be warm & kind. Greet everyone you see with a smile. Employee, customer, janitor, dog. EVERYBODY. No matter the role or field. Be human, trust in yourself and good things will come
    via enterspace-co
  • 13
    Two people are discussing what they are seeing in papers in front of them, representation.
    via vantaymedia

    Two people are discussing what they are seeing in papers in front of them, representation. 

  • 14
    RoamingPlayers 112 applications, and the one you actually wanted chose you. Job hunting is brutal, but congrats
    via RoamingPlayers
  • 15
    NeneObichie Congratulations! The feeling when you finally get an offer is unmatched. Enjoy it, you've earned it!
    via NeneObichie
  • 16
    Jethris I was out of work for about 6 months. I thought I was going to have to move out of state, but that job fell through. Then I got the call that was the prelude to an offer, not having to move, and I cried I was so happy! I am so happy for you!
    via Jethris
  • 17
    Simon_think180 Congratulations, while the world is following the internet tips of how to nail interviews, just getting back to simple story telling and having conversations make you stand out. People want authenticity, not polished, scripted responses. Story telling is better for calming anxiety too as is managing how you view the consequences of failing, this is what I teach people. Perfect mindset and perfect approach, well done you.
    via Simon_think180
  • 18
    Image of what could be two people settling an arrangement.
    via Mina Rad

    Image of what could be two people settling an arrangement. 

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