But if we're honest, this is what the process in 2026 can feel like:

📑 You spend 1 hour tailoring your resume, cover letter and digital portfolio.

🖥️ Then the application portal asks you to re-enter everything manually into an outdated ATS... recently rebranded as "AI-powered"; but somehow only making things easier for the hiring team, not the candidate. You answer additional role-specific questions which takes you another 30 minutes.

📩 You invest more time proactively messaging the hiring manager, recruiter and asking for a 'qualified' referral from those in your network.

⏳ Meanwhile, your resume is screened and reviewed on average for a whopping 6 to 8 seconds.

🥇 You land the first interview. 25 minutes answering their questions. 5 minutes for yours.

💰 Salary? Not disclosed in the initial job description. Instead, you're asked for your expectations and when you request their already established budget range to ensure it aligns, you're told it's confidential.

🧳 Next is multiple 55+ minute virtual remote interviews. Again - 5 minutes at the end for your questions.

📝 Then: a take-home assignment. Followed by a 3-hour onsite with back-to-back interviews.

𝐒𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮:

• Spend days working to give away your ideas (for free)
• Take PTO just to attend interviews
• Pay out of pocket for transport, parking, dry cleaning your suit and preparation
• Put other (family) responsibilities on hold

✅ If you're lucky, you get an offer - and are expected to decide within hours.

❌ If you're not - you *might* get an automated email saying 'there were many qualified candidates and they decided to go in a different direction'

Companies state they want 'top talent' - but design hiring processes that disrespect their time, effort and energy. This presents an opportunity - where even small changes can make a meaningful difference:

• Clearer expectations up front (including compensation) and timelines
• Choose ATS wisely and consider the impact it has on the candidate experience
• Thoughtful use of take-home work (if excessive, pay them their hourly rate)
• Better communication, even when the answer is 'no'

If you're on the hiring OR candidate side, apply for our new Accelerator to level up and improve the experience for all!