Would you support pay transparency for job listings in Idaho? Share your thoughts at rashlead.com/pay.

In this episode, I break down what job hunting actually feels like today. From pointless essay questions to personality tests, ghost jobs, recruiters taking a cut of your salary, and video submissions that feel humiliating, I expose the reality that most people have no idea about. This episode is for job seekers, employers, leaders, and anyone who wants to understand how hiring became such a discouraging, exhausting, time consuming process. I also explain why hiring is leadership and why bosses must take responsibility for the first impression their company makes. I close by sharing my mission to require salary transparency in Idaho.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss future episodes where we get real about leadership, hiring, and workplace truths.

Share your thoughts at ⁠rashlead.com/pay⁠.

Why this episode matters

• People who have not job searched recently have no idea how awful it has become.

• Many still believe finding a job is simple and blame job seekers.

The reality of applying

• Job hunting is a full time job by itself.

• Job boards give the illusion of options but applications take hours.

• Most companies require you to retype your resume into their system.

• Essay questions, personality tests, skills assessments, and judgment tests all happen before any interview.

• Video submissions feel humiliating and are legally protected.

• One application can take four to five hours.

The chaos of job postings

• Many states, including Idaho, do not require pay transparency.

• Pay is intentionally left off to attract cheaper candidates.

• Inconsistent postings on job boards versus company sites.

• Companies calling months later to schedule interviews.

• Inflated job titles meant to impress but not backed by pay.

• Degrees required for wages that cannot cover basic living costs.

Ghost jobs

• About 28 percent of job postings are fake.

• Reasons range from disorganization to gathering intel to projecting growth for investors.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

• Resumes must be structured in a very specific way.

• Incorrect formatting results in automatic rejection.

• You often never know why you were rejected.

The numbers job seekers face

• Competitive roles may require up to two hundred applications just to land one offer.

• Career fairs are largely ineffective.

• Networking has an 85 percent success rate, but only if you have connections.

• Some job seekers pay hundreds per hour to career coaches just to navigate the system.

Hiring is leadership

• The hiring process is the first impression of your company.

• Leaders have outsourced hiring to HR, recruiters, and staffing agencies.

• Distancing between people, staff, clients, and customers has become the norm across many industries.

• HR protects the business, not employees.

• Leadership is a responsibility, not a title. A boss is a leader, period.

Why pay transparency matters

• Listing the pay would remove guesswork and save time for everyone.

• I am building support to require salary transparency in Idaho.

• This issue is nonpartisan and affects job seekers across the state.

Don’t mind me keyword stuffing here:job seeking, job search, hiring process, leadership, Idaho jobs, salary transparency, pay disclosure, recruiters, ATS, job boards, ghost jobs, job applications, workplace culture, HR, management, career frustration, job seeker support, toxic hiring practices, leadership development, employee experience, Rash Leadership Development