For many job applicants, the job search these days has them asking: Why am I being ghosted so much?

And in the age of AI and forever layoffs, applicants are also fighting more existential doubts, like if they picked the wrong major, or if they’re in the right field at all.

After years of being told that a four-year degree could help launch college graduates’ careers, many grads—39% of those responding to a ResumeBuilder.com survey—say they wouldn’t choose the same major again. Some 22% said they would leave their field or skip the four-year path entirely if they could start over. 

One Reddit user summed up that frustration bluntly: “I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, but I honestly feel it isn’t worth that much in the ‘real’ world. At least judging by the meager job offers I’ve gotten in the past 6 months.” 

Before putting your life decisions on trial, it’s important to first take a closer look at your job search.

A basic reminder: College majors or years of experience don’t matter if they’re irrelevant to the position. Stacie Haller, chief career advisor at ResumeBuilder.com, has a rule of thumb: Make sure you have about 80% of the qualifications a job requires before applying.

“If you’re not qualified for a job, you’re going to get ghosted. Period. End of story,” Haller says.

Timing can matter, too. Haller says applying to a job weeks after it was posted can make it harder for a candidate to get noticed, particularly when employers are already dealing with large applicant pools.

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