Ghosted by the Machine

WRKdefined
WRKdefined
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Careers
  • Updated Weekly

Ghosted by the Machine explores the human side of hiring through honest conversations with job seekers, recruiters, HR leaders, and workplace experts. Host Mark Lane gives people a voice in a world increasingly filtered by algorithms. Real humans. Real stories. Let’s make hiring human again. 

  1. 2d ago

    Surviving a Two-Year Job Search

    What happens when decades of communications experience still aren’t enough to get noticed? Michael Keegan shares what he has learned during a nearly two-year job search, including the challenges of ageism, being considered overqualified, ATS filters, ghosting, and a difficult Washington, DC employment market. The conversation also explores how AI is changing communications careers, why experienced professionals need to adapt without discounting their expertise, and why human judgment, messaging, and real-world experience remain valuable skills that AI cannot replace. Michael’s profile linkedin.com/in/michael-keegan Key Takeaways Long-term unemployment can make even highly experienced professionals question their skills, resume, and career strategy. Experienced candidates can face assumptions about age, adaptability, digital skills, salary expectations, and being overqualified. AI is changing communications by automating tasks such as first drafts and press releases, but it cannot replace strategic judgment and message development. Learning to use AI as a tool can help experienced professionals remain competitive without abandoning the expertise they have built throughout their careers. Long career histories can create resume challenges when candidates must decide how much experience to include without highlighting their age. ATS keyword filtering can make it difficult for qualified candidates to demonstrate the full value of their experience. Being willing to accept a more junior position does not necessarily eliminate employer concerns about overqualification or age. Ghosting becomes especially frustrating after candidates invest significant time in multiple interviews. Experienced professionals bring judgment, context, crisis experience, and an understanding of audiences that cannot easily be replicated by technology. Hiring managers should consider the talent and experience a candidate brings, not simply how closely that person matches a job description. Timestamps 00:00 Michael’s two-year job search 02:50 Why the job market became harder 03:55 How AI is changing communications 05:39 Learning to use AI 06:28 Second-guessing after hundreds of applications 08:36 Ageism and experienced candidates 10:46 ATS filters and overqualification 14:37 Ghosting after job interviews 18:07 Signs the job market may improve 19:56 Why experience still matters Keywords long-term unemployment experienced candidates ageism in hiring AI in communications job search candidate ghosting overqualified candidates Applicant Tracking Systems communications careers hiring experienced workers

  2. Sep 1

    How Candidate Reviews Could Change Hiring

    What if job seekers could review recruiters and hiring managers the same way consumers review other experiences? In this episode, Kevin Maharaj explains why he created Ghosted Platform and how candidate feedback could bring greater transparency and accountability to the hiring process. The conversation explores candidate ghosting, recruiter communication, anonymous reviews, employer branding, and the emotional impact of searching for work. You’ll also learn how constructive feedback can help employers understand what candidates experience and why improving hiring from negative to neutral may be much simpler than companies realize. Key Takeaways Ghosted Platform gives candidates a way to review individual recruiters and hiring managers. Candidate reviews can create a feedback loop that helps organizations identify problems in their hiring process. Poor communication and ghosting can turn an otherwise ordinary hiring experience into a negative one. Candidates do not necessarily expect every hiring experience to be exceptional; basic communication and transparency can make a significant difference. Anonymous reviews can give job seekers a place to share experiences they may not feel comfortable discussing publicly. Reviews should focus on constructive, professional feedback rather than becoming a place simply to attack recruiters or employers. Positive reviews are as important as negative reviews because they can highlight recruiters and hiring managers who treat candidates well. Recruiters could eventually ask candidates for reviews as a way to demonstrate the quality of their candidate experience. Candidate experience affects employer branding because every applicant has an interaction with the company’s brand. Marketing and talent acquisition can work together to treat the hiring process as an important brand experience. Kevin's Profile - linkedin.com/in/kevinsmaharaj Timestamps 00:00 Introducing Ghosted Platform 03:53 The frustration that inspired the platform 06:19 Reviewing recruiters and hiring managers 10:39 Why transparency and communication matter 19:53 Keeping candidate reviews fair 21:26 The emotional toll of job searching 29:53 Understanding the candidate perspective 31:53 Moving from negative to positive experiences 35:46 Hiring as a marketing opportunity 38:33 The future of candidate feedback Keywords candidate experience hiring process recruitment feedback candidate reviews recruiter reviews hiring transparency employer branding candidate ghosting talent acquisition HR technology

  3. Aug 24

    Navigating AI and Ghost Jobs

    What does today's job market look like when you are just beginning a new search? David Lingholm shares his perspective at the very start of his job search after 15 years in social media management across chemical, utility, and public-sector organizations. He discusses what he wants from his next opportunity, why this search feels different, how AI and ghost jobs are changing the candidate experience, and why real conversations and relationships are giving him hope. David's Contact Info: linkedin.com/in/davidlingholm Key Takeaways David has 15 years of social media management experience across multiple industries. Social media professionals must continually adapt to changing platforms, tools, algorithms, and audience behaviors. David is looking beyond job titles and focusing on roles involving social media strategy, governance, and organizational leadership. Strong social media governance requires clear ownership, consistent standards, appropriate platform selection, and secure account access. David's strength is connecting people with resources, learning opportunities, data, and relationships that can help them move forward. This job search feels different because he is approaching it with less pressure and a more intentional mindset. AI-powered hiring tools and automated job application services raise concerns about how candidates are evaluated and represented. Ghost jobs and poor job recommendations have made LinkedIn less effective for David's job discovery. David is relying more on manual job searches, direct outreach, and limiting social media use to protect his well-being. Coffee chats, lunches, professional relationships, and conversations with friends are helping him stay hopeful and sharpen his approach. Timestamps 00:00 Starting a new job search 00:48 Fifteen years in social media 01:39 Why social media never stops changing 02:31 How platforms and audiences are evolving 03:18 Moving toward strategy and governance 05:27 Managing social media access and risk 06:13 Helping others navigate their careers 07:44 Why this job search feels different 08:14 Concerns about AI in hiring 10:12 Ghost jobs and changing search strategies Keywords job search, AI in hiring, ghost jobs, social media strategy, social media management, LinkedIn job search, career transition, candidate experience, social media governance, professional networking

  4. Aug 17

    How to Get Past Hiring Barriers

    Why are qualified candidates applying to hundreds of jobs and still struggling to get interviews? This episode examines today’s hiring process from both sides, with recruiter Joe Shanbaum and resume writer Melissa Kelley breaking down what job seekers are experiencing and what employers are actually looking for. The conversation covers resume strategy, confusing job descriptions, skills alignment, Applicant Tracking Systems, AI-assisted applications, ghosting, and common job search myths. You’ll learn why constantly rewriting your resume may not be the answer, how to show the business value behind your experience, when to apply even if you do not meet every requirement, and why technology still cannot replace communication and human judgment in hiring. Melissa Kelley - linkedin.com/in/mkelleycprw Joe Shanbaum - linkedin.com/in/joeshanbaum Key Takeaways Qualified candidates can still be overlooked even when they have relevant experience. A resume should build a business case for why an employer should talk to you, not simply list responsibilities. Achievements and measurable impact are more valuable than a list of job duties. Job descriptions play a critical role in helping candidates understand whether their skills align with an opportunity. Candidates should focus resume customization on the most relevant skills instead of completely rewriting their resume for every application. Applicant Tracking Systems are only as effective as the way employers configure and use them. AI can help tailor resumes and applications, but its output should never be treated as a finished product. Candidates need to be able to explain and defend everything AI helps them put on a resume. Meeting roughly 70% of a job’s requirements may still be enough reason to apply. Communication, feedback, empathy, and human involvement remain essential to a better hiring experience. Timestamps 00:00 Why today’s job market feels contradictory 06:04 Why job descriptions matter 09:00 Why resumes stop getting results 17:54 What gets candidates noticed 26:37 How ATS actually affects hiring 34:08 How much should you customize resumes? 42:52 Using AI during the job search 49:55 Balancing AI with your own voice 56:19 Why candidate communication matters 78:55 Keeping the human element in hiring Keywords job search resume writing Applicant Tracking Systems AI in hiring candidate experience job descriptions skills-based hiring resume customization recruiting hiring process

  5. Aug 11

    How to Navigate Job Search Uncertainty

    Today’s job search can feel unpredictable, especially when traditional career paths no longer guarantee the next opportunity. This episode explores how job seekers can navigate uncertainty, use contract work to build experience, recognize transferable skills, and maintain confidence when hiring feels increasingly difficult to predict. Lisa Warren shares what she has learned from her own job search, including why broadening your skills can create more career options, why resilience develops through difficult experiences, and how even small moments of human connection from recruiters can make a meaningful difference. Key Takeaways Contract work can provide experience while creating new career possibilities. Broadening your skill set can give you more control over your career direction. Resilience develops through navigating uncertainty, rejection, and disappointment. Transferable skills can be valuable even when they do not perfectly match a job description. Job seekers need to clearly communicate how their experience applies across different roles. Career paths do not always need to follow a straight line. Market conditions can influence hiring outcomes regardless of a candidate’s qualifications. There may be no reliable way to “game” today’s hiring system. Recruiters can make a meaningful difference through simple acts of communication and respect. Hope can come from recognizing that other talented people are experiencing many of the same challenges. Connect with Lisa - linkedin.com/in/lisazwarren Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and career background 00:46 Job searching and contract work 02:15 Building resilience through uncertainty 04:28 How contract work builds confidence 07:04 Broadening skills in today’s market 09:45 Defining the ideal next opportunity 10:43 Transferable skills as a superpower 11:54 What recruiters misunderstand about candidates 14:40 Finding hope during the job search 15:45 Final thoughts and next steps Keywords job search contract work transferable skills career resilience career transition hiring process career growth candidate experience job market career development

  6. Aug 4

    How AI Is Changing Workplace Culture

    Artificial intelligence is changing the way organizations hire, lead, and support employees, but how do companies embrace innovation without losing the human side of work? In this episode, Mark Lane sits down with Noah Mithrush, Director of Growth Marketing at Guusto and host of HR on the Frontline, to discuss the future of work, AI in HR, employee experience, and why leadership matters more than ever during this period of rapid transformation. Noah shares his perspective on how AI is reshaping recruiting, workplace culture, employee recognition, and decision-making. The conversation explores the opportunities AI creates, the risks of over-reliance on technology, and why organizations must invest in people, training, and change management if they want AI to succeed. Whether you're an HR leader, recruiter, manager, or job seeker, this episode offers practical insights into using AI responsibly while keeping trust, empathy, and human connection at the center of work. The discussion emphasizes that technology should support people—not replace them. Connect with Noah - linkedin.com/in/nmithrush Key takeaways AI should enhance people, not replace themLeadership plays a critical role in successful AI adoptionEmployee recognition strengthens workplace cultureHuman oversight remains essential in AI-driven hiringOrganizations need better AI training and change managementCandidate experience depends on communication and empathyEmployee journey mapping should include emotional experiencesAI can improve productivity when integrated thoughtfullyCompanies should focus on responsible AI implementationThe future of work belongs to organizations that balance technology with humanity Timestamps 00:00 AI and the future of work00:30 Meet Noah Mithrush01:03 HR and digital transformation04:38 Why employee recognition matters05:32 The rapid rise of AI07:49 AI in recruiting and hiring17:22 Employee journey mapping26:00 Leadership and AI adoption30:24 Improving hiring with AI48:47 Bringing humanity back to HR Keywords AI in workplaceHR technologyfuture of workemployee experienceleadership and AIworkplace cultureAI recruitmentdigital transformationchange managementemployee recognition

  7. Jul 28

    Protecting Mental Health During Job Searches

    Job searching can affect far more than a person’s career. It can damage confidence, strain families, and leave people feeling isolated and defeated. Todd Bertsch joins Mark Lane to discuss the emotional toll of unemployment, how Positive Intelligence can help people manage negativity, and why resilience is built through challenges. They also explore the impact of AI on hiring, the importance of supportive communities, and practical ways job seekers can protect their well-being, rebuild their confidence, and find hope during an uncertain career transition. Connect with Todd - linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch Key Takeaways Job loss can create a genuine grieving process that should not be dismissed. Prolonged job searching can affect confidence, relationships, and mental well-being. Positive Intelligence can help people recognize and manage negative thought patterns. Resilience develops through challenges, setbacks, and intentional personal growth. Finding meaning in difficult experiences can help change your perspective. Support groups and trusted relationships can reduce isolation during unemployment. Activities that create joy and purpose can help job seekers reignite their motivation. Resume gaps do not define a person’s talent, value, or future potential. AI and automation can make hiring feel disconnected when human interaction disappears. Employers and recruiters can improve the candidate experience by treating people with empathy, dignity, and respect. Timestamps 00:00 The emotional toll of job searching03:04 Building resilience through Positive Intelligence05:54 Understanding the power of negativity09:12 Reigniting your motivation and confidence11:53 Finding community and meaningful support14:59 Processing the grief caused by job loss17:54 Bringing empathy back into recruitment24:14 How AI is affecting job seekers29:00 Creating a strong personal support network32:55 Finding hope during uncertain times Keywords job searchmental healthjob lossresiliencePositive IntelligenceAI in hiringcandidate experiencecommunity supportcareer transitionemotional well-being

  8. Jul 21

    Winning Jobs in the AI Era

    Episode Description: This episode explores how artificial intelligence is transforming hiring, recruiting, and the job search while explaining why human connection still matters. You will learn how AI is changing resume screening, candidate sourcing, fraud detection, and hiring decisions, along with practical strategies for standing out in an increasingly automated recruiting process. The conversation also examines why authenticity, professionalism, and relationship building remain essential for both job seekers and recruiters. Connect with William Tincup - linkedin.com/in/tincup Key takeaways AI is transforming how candidates are sourced and evaluatedAuthenticity is becoming more valuable in AI-driven hiringHuman relationships remain critical to career successDifferentiation helps candidates stand out beyond keywordsAI can improve efficiency while reducing repetitive recruiting tasksCandidate communication and feedback strengthen employer brandsProfessionalism still matters in interviews and hiring decisionsTechnology can help reduce bias when implemented thoughtfullyRecruiters and job seekers must adapt to rapid AI advancementsThe future of hiring will combine automation with human judgment Timestamps 00:00 The future of work and AI03:01 The rise of HR podcasts05:46 The AI arms race in hiring08:57 AI resumes and hiring practices11:44 Candidate experience and ageism14:51 Technology in recruiting17:46 The importance of feedback20:44 Why positive feedback matters27:25 Building relationships in a digital world31:49 The future of recruiting and automation Keywords AI in hiringrecruitmentHR technologyjob searchtalent acquisitioncandidate experienceAI detectionfuture of workrecruiting trendsresume optimization

See All (56)

About

Ghosted by the Machine explores the human side of hiring through honest conversations with job seekers, recruiters, HR leaders, and workplace experts. Host Mark Lane gives people a voice in a world increasingly filtered by algorithms. Real humans. Real stories. Let’s make hiring human again. 

Information

More From WRKdefined