We Need a Better Way to Match Talent and Opportunity

Hi. Welcome to Bloom Anywhere. I'm Gwen Moran, a writer, editor, author, and problem-solver. My goal is to share information, ideas, and resources to help you overcome obstacles, reach your goals, and find more joy in life, even when things are messy. Thanks for joining me. (If you got this from a friend, subscribe here.) I'd love your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Please send me an email at connect@bloomanywhere.com.

I've been self-employed for decades, so first-hand experience with job-hunting is hard for me to come by. The last time I was actively in the job market, the paper on which your résumé was printed mattered.

But several months ago, LinkedIn served me an ad for a freelance opportunity that was right up my alley. A midsize professional services firm needed help with content. I visited the firm’s website and immediately had ideas to improve it and deliver value. They needed someone just a few hours per week. So, I applied.

I have great clients, but part of being successful in this business is always having a few irons in the fire so something new comes in when another project or client engagement wraps up. Even though I applied, I was in one of those “pinch me” periods, feeling lucky for interesting clients and work that keeps a roof over my head and Diet Coke in my fridge.

Rejection Objection

Then, I got an email from the company on the receiving end of that forgotten application. The structure was typical: We received so many applications. We looked at your credentials. We’re going in a different direction.

Even though I hadn’t given the application a thought since I submitted it, I was irritated and, if I’m honest, a bit hurt. Those emotions surfaced even though I didn’t really need the gig. I was indignant that they didn’t give me a chance to introduce myself properly and show them what I could do for them. (Frankly, a lot.)

Then I thought about several Gen X friends and colleagues who have been job searching for months or even years. They have been through this exact scenario hundreds or even thousands of times. They are ridiculously talented and have great experience. I was in my feelings about a gig I didn’t need. Imagine how it felt to get so many of those disingenuous replies when you’re looking for a place to hang your professional hat.

But here’s what they’re up against:

· 40% of companies posted fake job listings, and 3 in 10 had active fake listings, according to a 2024 Resume Builder survey.

· 7 in 10 hiring managers think that’s fine—and some do it to give the impression that the company is growing and to make employees feel like they’re hiring more help, according to the same survey.

· A survey by iHire found that more than 30% of Gen X candidates had been ghosted by prospective employers.

· A 2026 AARP survey found that two-thirds (64%) of workers reported seeing or experiencing age-related bias in the workplace.

Finding the Right Match

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered applicant tracking systems are part of the problem, possibly screening out qualified candidates for reasons that range from faulty inputs to outright bias. (I wrote about this for Fast Company last year.) And while improvements and new platforms emerge regularly, we still don’t have a great solution for matching talented people with opportunities that are right for them. The result is a demoralizing, disingenuous, transactional process that makes finding work harder.

I don’t have solutions for this one, but I know jobhunters—especially those who have been in their careers for a few decades—need to know that they’re not alone. In many ways, the process is filled with red herrings and deterrents that just aren’t fair. AARP and Indeed have teamed up to deliver a job board and other resources to help workers who are facing ageism.

Most of all, I hope you find ways to endure this process without it taking a toll on your self-worth. Getting my rejection email took the wind out of my sails a bit. But it truly is their loss.

Whatever you’re seeking now, I wish you a clear path.

What Job-Hunting Resources Are Working for You?

Have you found useful resources, job boards, or other tools for Boomers, Gen X, and older Millennials who are job-hunting? I’d love to hear about them and share them. Please let me know at connect@bloomanywhere.com.