Ghosted by the Machine

Why does finding a job feel so difficult when employers say they cannot find qualified candidates? In this episode of Ghosted by the Machine, host Mark Lane talks with recruiter Matt Tibbetts, owner of Express Employment Professionals of Ellis County, Texas, about what is happening on both sides of ...

What happens when nine months of unemployment puts your family's financial security, emotional well-being, and future at risk? Donnie Grooms shares his deeply personal experience of searching for work while struggling to provide for his family. From selling his children's playground to help cover ex...

Why does finding a job feel harder even though hiring technology keeps getting smarter? Monster.com founder and Boomband CEO Jeff Taylor explains how online recruiting evolved from newspaper ads and early job boards into today’s high-volume, AI-driven system. He explores why easy apply, ATS filterin...

How is AI changing writing careers, and can it actually replace a skilled copywriter? Joe Emery shares his experience navigating a difficult job market after five layoffs in five years and explains why he does not see AI itself as the biggest threat to professional writers. Instead, he believes effe...

What makes finding a job so frustrating in today’s hiring market? Mike Ingberg shares his experience returning to the job search after more than 30 years in public relations, marketing, social media, sports PR, agency work, and corporate communications. He discusses the disappearance of personal fol...

What happens when decades of communications experience still aren’t enough to get noticed? Michael Keegan shares what he has learned during a nearly two-year job search, including the challenges of ageism, being considered overqualified, ATS filters, ghosting, and a difficult Washington, DC employme...

What if job seekers could review recruiters and hiring managers the same way consumers review other experiences? In this episode, Kevin Maharaj explains why he created Ghosted Platform and how candidate feedback could bring greater transparency and accountability to the hiring process. The conversat...

What does today's job market look like when you are just beginning a new search? David Lingholm shares his perspective at the very start of his job search after 15 years in social media management across chemical, utility, and public-sector organizations. He discusses what he wants from his next opp...

Why are qualified candidates applying to hundreds of jobs and still struggling to get interviews? This episode examines today’s hiring process from both sides, with recruiter Joe Shanbaum and resume writer Melissa Kelley breaking down what job seekers are experiencing and what employers are actually...

Today’s job search can feel unpredictable, especially when traditional career paths no longer guarantee the next opportunity. This episode explores how job seekers can navigate uncertainty, use contract work to build experience, recognize transferable skills, and maintain confidence when hiring feel...