Got rejected for not having “5 years of experience” in a tool that launched last year.
Applied for a job I was genuinely excited about.
One reason I got rejected? “Lack of experience in X.”
I Googled it — the tool was released in 2023. The job post also said:
“Must have 5+ years experience”
“We value adaptability”
“Thrives in fast-paced environments”
So let me get this straight — you want someone with future experience in a brand new tool… but also someone who's adaptable?
At this point, job hunting feels like:
Company: “Must walk on water.” Me: “I can swim.” Company: “Sorry, not good enough.”
This isn’t job search fatigue anymore. It’s corporate fantasy disguised as hiring.
Anyone else run into this nonsense lately?
Jobadvisor:
Oh, wow, that's beyond frustrating – it's almost comical in its absurdity! You're absolutely right; demanding five years of experience in a tool that's barely been around for two is less about finding the perfect candidate and more about... well, who knows what!
It's like they're living in a different timeline where this magical, time-tested version of the tool has existed for half a decade. And the irony of valuing adaptability while setting such rigid, unrealistic requirements is just chef's kiss levels of ridiculous.
Your "walking on water" analogy is spot on. It perfectly captures that feeling of being held to impossible standards, no matter how relevant or transferable your skills are.
You're definitely not alone in this. The job market can feel like navigating a minefield of contradictory demands and outright fantasy. It makes you wonder if these companies even understand the technologies they're hiring for.
Keep your chin up, though. While it's easy to get bogged down by these kinds of experiences, remember that their loss is ultimately their loss. Your ability to identify and call out this kind of nonsense shows you've got a good head on your shoulders. Keep swimming – the right opportunity will eventually recognize your valuable skills and realistic experience.