December 16, 2025

Why Job Searching Feels Broken and How Indeed Is Rebuilding It

39 minutes

The job search has slowed in ways job seekers can feel immediately. Job growth is cooling, quit rates are lower than previous years, and people are holding onto roles longer. That hesitation reflects anxiety more than confidence. At the same time, AI is becoming a practical part of how people prepare for interviews, search for roles, and navigate applications.

In this episode, the conversation focuses on current job market conditions, how AI tools are being used to support job seekers, and why issues like data privacy and ghosting matter more than ever. The discussion covers Indeed’s Career Scout tools, the role of interview practice and job discovery, and how technology can improve communication and outcomes for people trying to get hired.

Key Takeaways
Job growth has slowed, and job seekers are staying in roles longer than they might have in previous years. Lower quit rates signal anxiety about leaving stable positions rather than satisfaction with current jobs. This hesitation shapes how people approach searching, interviewing, and applying.

AI is already embedded in the job-seeking process. Tools now support resume building, interview practice, and job discovery. The impact is less about replacing people and more about helping candidates prepare and navigate a competitive market.

Career Scout reflects a shift toward guided job seeking. Resume tools, discovery features, and mock interviews are designed to support readiness and confidence. These tools focus on helping job seekers make better decisions, not just submit more applications.

Ghosting continues to frustrate job seekers and damage trust. A lack of feedback leaves candidates feeling disconnected and discouraged. AI can help reduce this gap by improving communication and providing signals during the hiring process.

Data privacy plays a central role in modern job platforms. Separating candidate preferences from employer visibility allows people to explore opportunities without overexposing intent. Trust becomes a prerequisite for personalization.

This episode is sponsored by Indeed and features a conversation around Career Scout and Talent Scout, two tools designed to support job seekers and employers through smarter matching, interview preparation, and a more efficient hiring process.

Learn more Talent Scout here: http://indeed.com/talentscout

Learn more about Career Scout here: http://indeed.com/careerscout

Timestamps
00:00 Why job seekers feel stuck right now
02:48 Slower hiring and rising caution
05:54 How AI is changing job opportunities
09:03 Career Scout and practical tools for job seekers
11:53 What’s coming next in job search technology
18:46 How job seeking is evolving
20:26 Data privacy and candidate preferences
22:33 Voice and conversational job applications
24:37 Reintroducing human connection in hiring
27:36 Using AI to improve candidate experience
30:01 Addressing the communication gap
33:15 Simplifying the application experience
34:52 How job matching continues to change

Guest Information
David Lane, VP of Product Management, Indeed
Website: https://www.indeed.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lane-a37778/

Host and Network Links
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/

Connect with Us

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Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined
Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/

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