Job Hunt Gauntlet Report: AI Barriers and Burnout Define the 2025 Job Search

The Job Hunt Gauntlet Report, a new study from LiveCareer, reveals that 2025 has become one of the most challenging years for job seekers in recent memory. With AI-driven hiring systems, complex application processes, and increasing career gaps, candidates are navigating a labor market with profound job search challenges at every turn.

AI Frustration Forces Job Seekers to Quit the Hunt

Automation and AI tools are reshaping the hiring landscape, introducing new friction into an already lengthy and complex process. In LiveCareer’s Candidate Ghosting & AI Report, which surveyed more than 900 human resources professionals in the U.S., HR professionals indicated that AI-driven interactions may unintentionally prompt job seekers to disengage and drop out of the hiring process.

88% of HR professionals reported being ghosted by candidates midway through the hiring process.
71% said it’s happening more often compared to last year.
65% of respondents said AI has definitely contributed to the rise in candidate ghosting.

Job hunt hurdle: From automated screenings to impersonal follow-ups, job seekers are more likely to ghost hiring managers when they feel disconnected from the process or are uncertain whether they are interacting with a human.

Frustration Builds as Candidates Face Lengthy Applications

From the first click on a job posting, candidates encounter a series of hurdles in the application process, fueling significant job search frustration, and often feel like their resumes and effort simply vanish into a void. LiveCareer’s 2025 Job Search Frustration report found that today’s hiring process pushes many applicants to their limits.

57% admitted to abandoning an application mid-process due to overly complicated or time-consuming requirements.
41% believed fewer than a quarter of their job applications were ever seen by a real person.

Job hunt hurdle: Overly time-consuming and complicated job applications have become the norm, turning the job search into an endurance test. Many candidates walk away from opportunities that demand too much before they even reach the interview stage.

Career Breaks Become the New Normal

This year’s unstable job market is shaping up to be remembered for its high numbers of layoffs, hiring freezes, and workforce attrition strategies. A 2025 LiveCareer report on employment gaps revealed that extended breaks between jobs are becoming increasingly common, signaling a shift in how career stability is defined.

1 in 4 job seekers (25%) had a gap of at least 12 months in 2025, up from 19% in 2020.
Over half of workers (52%) reported at least a one-month career gap in 2025.
The share of job seekers with no career gaps declined from 57% in 2020 to 48% in 2025.

Job hunt hurdle: Despite career breaks becoming more common, many employers still view them as red flags. The growing disconnect between modern career realities and outdated hiring expectations leaves qualified candidates at a disadvantage.

2025 has tested job seekers in new ways, with complex applications, AI-driven systems, and growing career gaps stemming from a difficult search environment, often leading to job search burnout.

The Job Hunt Gauntlet Report findings point to a clear opportunity for employers to simplify the hiring process and make it more transparent and engaging. When motivated candidates feel discouraged or disconnected due to the widespread job search challenges, the hiring process—and the talent pipeline—suffers.

Methodology

The findings draw from multiple LiveCareer surveys conducted throughout 2025, each polling between 517 and 918 U.S. workers or HR professionals across industries, company sizes, and career levels. Responses were collected online through qualified panels and anonymized to identify national trends. Additional insights were gathered from analysis of more than 27 million U.S. resumes created using LiveCareer’s online resume builder between January 1, 2020, and February 28, 2025.

About LiveCareer

LiveCareer's online Resume Builder is designed to empower its users to get better jobs and improve their job search. A one-stop shop among AI resume builder tools, LiveCareer features cutting-edge resume templates, a powerful cover letter builder, and extensive free career resources to support job candidates in reaching their professional goals. Trusted by over 10 million users around the world, LiveCareer has been publishing expert advice from Certified Professional Resume Writers since 2005. LiveCareer’s career tips have been featured in renowned media outlets, including Bloomberg, Forbes, and Newsweek. Stay connected with LiveCareer's latest updates to improve your job search on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.