The Chad & Cheese Podcast Ghosting, Grinding, and Getting Screwed: Job Search in 2026
Mar 10, 2026
J.T. O'Donnell, career coach known for practical job-search and mental-health advice, and Jillian O’Malior, employer-branding pro who survived a 15-month search. They tackle ghosting, AI-driven hiring chaos, title compression and wage suppression. They discuss visibility over old networks, ATS failures, brutal applicant experiences, and how authenticity and content can rebuild a damaged job market.
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Market Has More Seekers Than Jobs
- There are far more job seekers than open roles, causing mass non-responses and multi-month interview loops that end with roles being changed or canceled.
- Jillian describes applying broadly, hitting 600 applies, getting automated rejections or months of rounds then being told the role no longer exists or requires unrelated niche skills.
AI And Cost Cutting Created A Hiring Freeze
- AI and corporate cost-cutting created a 'perfect storm' where companies freeze or rethink headcount, pressing hiring into a holding pattern.
- J.T. explains executives are told to reduce headcount and use AI, so roles are delayed or restructured into lower-paid titles.
Build Visibility Not Just Connections
- Do shift from 'who you know' to 'who knows you' by building intentional visibility and a personal brand on LinkedIn.
- J.T. says visibility — posting industry content and demonstrating expertise — is how hidden roles find you.
