The US IT-sector has sparked widespread discussion online worldwide after a software engineer with 25 years of experience revealed online that he has struggled to secure employment despite submitting more than 2000 job applications.
The Viral Post
Andrew, a software engineer from Wisconsin with 25 years of industry experience, shared his frustration over the repeated rejections and lack of responses from employers. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Andrew wrote that he found it difficult to accept that he had become “unhireable,” especially after having decades of experience in the tech industry.
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"I have a hard time believing that I am just unhireable. But I have an even harder time believing that my 25 years of experience is somehow negated by the format of my resume," Andrew said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
I have a hard time believing that I am just unhireable. But I have an even harder time believing that my 25 years of experience is somehow negated by the format of my resume.
— andrewthecoder (@_andrewthecoder) May 11, 2026
But, after over 2,000 applications, I am not sure what else to think. And, out of the dozens of emails
He further revealed that despite applying for thousands of positions and reaching out directly to hiring managers, he rarely received any replies.
"But, after over 2000 applications, I am not sure what else to think. And, out of the dozens of emails (perhaps over 100) to hiring managers with inquiries about what might be happening, I have received zero response."
Andrew also claimed that some popular Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) may be working against him because of his entrepreneurial background and years spent running successful businesses.
What people are suggesting on X
"Kind of at the end of my rope here. I have to start thinking about what retirement looks like, and I am just plain not hireable. Career change at this point doesn't seem likely," said Andrew.
He added that the prolonged struggle was beginning to affect not only his finances but also the people who depend on him.
As the post gained traction online, many social media users offered suggestions and words of advice. Some encouraged Andrew to shift his focus toward consulting, while others recommended exploring alternative career paths or starting his own business.
"Maybe a pivot from looking for a job to going into consulting and finding other ways to monetise your expertise and experience," one user commented.
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Another wrote, "They want young, naive people to exploit long hours for low payment."
A third user advised him that, "Maybe consider lines of work you can quickly pivot to like mortgage banking, stock brokerage or real estate? It's never too late to learn and earn a new way. And it'll ease the way to retirement."
