Want to avoid the resume black hole? Do this

"Employers are hiring more selectively, and hiring is frequently impacted by economic signals, budgets, and internal restructuring that changes what roles are available and how many people are needed to do them. 42% of employers told Hays Americas that they're prioritizing upskilling their existing workforce over bringing on new people."

"Artificial intelligence is used by nearly 70% of organizations at some point in the hiring process by applicants, which has resulted in a 'sea of sameness.' If job seekers really want to stand out in that sea of homogeneity, they'll need to find a way to marry newer AI advances with old-school job-seeking strategies."

"Employers are looking for candidates who immediately bring value to their organization. Job seekers must adjust the résumé that AI generates, and it should also mean venturing out into the world and networking with real people who can help."

Job applicants have only a 0.4% chance of landing positions, with employers overwhelmed by applicants yet remaining silent on rejections. The Hays 2026 U.S. Salary & Hiring Trends Guide identifies multiple factors beyond application volume: employers hire more selectively based on economic conditions and budgets, 42% prioritize upskilling existing staff over hiring new employees, and organizations seek candidates offering immediate value. Nearly 70% of organizations use AI in hiring, creating a homogeneous applicant pool. Job seekers must combine AI tools with traditional networking strategies and personalize AI-generated resumes, as detection tools can identify AI-written materials.

Read at Fast Company