Other job seekers with RSD: how are you coping

seeking advice

I've been applying to and getting rejected for jobs for the last three months. I haven't gotten even one interview despite having a graduate degree and 5 years of career experience. Not only that, but the rejections are almost all AI written. I can tell because it's the same message across all different employers.

"Following a careful review of all applications received, the most competitive applicants were selected for further consideration. Although you were not among this group, we appreciate the time and effort you put into the application process. "

The wording will change a little bit but it's basically that, every time, sometimes multiple times a day, week after week. Rejection after rejection. It would be one thing if they could at least be bothered to have an actual person reject me, but the generic cookie cutter AI rejections feel horribly dehumanizing. Apparently that's just the Way It Is Right Now, and I HATE it.

I can cope with some rejection, but this is building up. It's fucking with my confidence and my motivation. I'm feeling more and more inadequate, and I'm afraid that if I do get an interview I'll fuck it up because I won't have a "confident vibe" like you're supposed to.

How are other folks handling this? What do you do to keep your sanity?

Posted Jul 10, 2026, 5:52 PM UTC

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