Graduate’s Job Hunt Struggles Highlight Rising Employer ‘Ghosting’

Karyna Lohvynenko, a 21-year-old graduate, has faced a challenging job market after submitting 400 applications with only three interviews. Completing a master’s in governance at Cardiff University, she has prior experience in international policy and UK/US councils, yet remains largely overlooked by employers. Her career aspirations once focused on leading Ukraine, but the invasion by Russia in February 2022 forced her to relocate to Wales, shifting her priorities to securing any opportunity.

The Impact of AI on Hiring Processes

Recruitment expert Michael Jones notes that “ghosting” — a term borrowed from dating culture, where one abruptly cuts contact — is increasingly common in job applications. With fierce competition, he observes that many graduates apply to hundreds of roles weekly, only to be ignored by employers. AI screening systems often discard applications before human review, leaving candidates in limbo. Karyna described the experience as “a void… like your application disappears before anyone even sees it.”

Despite her strong academic and professional background, including work at the United Nations and the King’s Trust, Karyna has been rejected for roles spanning politics, business, and even entry-level positions. She now balances studies, part-time work, and a vintage blazer upcycling business, applying to around 20 jobs daily. “I know I will succeed,” she said. “This is just a difficult phase, largely outside my control.”

Broader Economic Trends and Job Seeker Advice

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals UK unemployment hit a five-year high, reaching 5.2% in the three months to December 2025. Young people, especially those aged 16–24, faced the steepest rise, with the rate climbing to 16.1% — the highest in over a decade. However, new figures released in February 2026 showed a slight improvement, with unemployment dropping unexpectedly.

LinkedIn highlighted the intense competition among young job seekers. Aneesh Raman, the platform’s chief economic opportunity officer, advised graduates to emphasize AI literacy, people skills, and measurable achievements. “Entry-level roles are oversubscribed,” Jones added. “Even strong graduates are lost in the volume.” He noted that many applications never reach a human decision-maker, exacerbating the sense of disconnection felt by candidates.

Karyna recalls a jobs fair at Cardiff University where “hundreds of students… asking for any job” created overwhelming pressure. While she remains determined, her experience reflects a growing trend of employers leaving candidates in the dark, turning the hiring process into a dehumanizing cycle. “That uncertainty is worse than rejection,” she said, underscoring the emotional toll of modern job hunting.