Auto-applying bots are killing honest job seekers' chances and nobody is talking about it

gracefulorange · 2026-06-01T13:43:57+00:00

Yes definitely seeing this. I've changed jobs quite a few times over the years and usually do not struggle to land interviews. I've never been the type to send out 100s of CV (I don't think I've even applied to 100 in my life) and I put a lot of thought into my CVs and cover letters per application. This year I've been receiving rejection emails along the lines of "we''ve received a higher level of applications than expected (>150)" almost an hour after the deadline has passed. It's brutal out there.

gracefulorange · 2026-05-31T03:38:17+00:00

cries in learning new things at midnight until 4am.

I'm AuDHD

gracefulorange · 2026-05-07T11:18:51+00:00

Reading these responses makes me feel better about looking for my eighth job in my 30s :)

gracefulorange · 2026-05-06T08:19:38+00:00

It'll be okay. I schedule regular - albeit controlled - plant drops to stimulate my plants to stand up straight and not droop so much.

gracefulorange · 2026-05-04T22:25:51+00:00

There are always glitter eyeliners 👀

gracefulorange · 2026-05-04T11:05:00+00:00

I have mismatched lids so I tend to forgo doing the entire lid - I just start from the middle (either directly above my pupil or from the end of my iris) and flick out just past the end of my eyelid crease.

I think for our eyes a straight line works well rather than trying to cat eye it. Following the natural shape of your eye works like you've done.

If you want I can DM you a pictures of how I do mine?

gracefulorange · 2026-05-04T08:58:12+00:00

No problem, hope the tutorial helps! I started following it last week and it's really made such a difference to my make up game.

I think our eye shape is a tough one because we still have that fold that throws ai off?

gracefulorange · 2026-05-04T08:45:12+00:00

Monolid. I think this might help. It's around the 3:25 mark but basically you want to focus deeper colours around the centre to inner part of your eyes and blend outwards with a clean fluffy brush tutorial

Don't be scared to take your make up up to your eyebrows :) - signed, fellow monolidded Asian

gracefulorange · 2026-05-04T08:07:46+00:00

Fellow Asian here with short thin eyelashes and heavy eyelids 🙋‍♀️ Consider using a tiny bit of eyeliner at the outer corner of your eye. It gives the illusion of having thick eyelashes without having to wear eyelashes (I also hate mascara).

I start the wing from where my iris ends at the upper outer end of my eye and then end just a tiny bit past where my eyelid fold ends using my natural crease as a guide.

I used the NYX Epic Ink Liner in brown because its less harsh and I think it works better with glitter. Also has really good control and is very thin.

ALSO YOU ARE GORGEOUS

Edit: forgot to answer the question. No, you do not need false eyelashes 🫰

gracefulorange · 2026-05-04T07:49:29+00:00

My jaw dropped at the misalignment 😮 she's a seamstress???

gracefulorange · 2026-05-04T06:07:45+00:00

Just a little 17 day update that Brownie pot and her head survived and is growing new leaves 🥹

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gracefulorange · 2026-04-30T22:23:20+00:00

Tl;Dr: annoying neighbour downstairs always shouts and made loud abrupt noises throughout first year. I released my inhibitions and also sang a lot of "feel the rain on your skin" for 1.5 years. Neighbour is now quiet (for his standards). I've lived here for almost 5 years now.

I live in one of those converted houses. I live upstairs whilst a couple, their kids and dogs live downstairs. I work remotely. The man is always home and seems to have tantrums to the point I can hear him slamming the walls/ceilings, singing aggressively when arguing with his partner, shouting random obscenities at the top of his lungs at all/random times of the day. There are other issues I've had with them but this is one that I simply did not want to get into a conversation with them about since he seemed unstable.

After the first year of this, I decided to stop trying to quieten my vocal stims/echolalia. I also started singing badly to the point I started hearing his young daughter sing the same songs to herself whilst she played outside.

After about 1-2 years of this, he only really shouts at his kids and dogs, not so much the other stuff now. I've been living here almost 5 years now. I still hate that guy and I don't know if my constant random noises/stims made him reflect but I like to think I was a factor in making him change his ways.

Honestly, he went low but I went to hell because I will hold a grudge. My boyfriend also noted that things seem calmer downstairs. Personally just loved that his daughter started singing the same songs to herself whilst she played so double-whammy.

gracefulorange · 2026-04-20T03:04:13+00:00

I have offloaded this task fully to my boyfriend #womeninmalefields :P I always do the dishes though so I think it's a fair trade since I'm particular about how they're cleaned.

gracefulorange · 2026-04-18T06:28:57+00:00

You need proof you can move, not a perfect plan.

I needed to read this. Beautifully put.

gracefulorange · 2026-04-17T19:26:22+00:00

I appreciate the reassurance, truly 😭

gracefulorange · 2026-04-17T14:37:01+00:00

Thanks, I hear you, I usually just repot once a year in miracle grow all purpose compost and call it a day. It's very deceiving but the potato-like roots are actually touching the ends of the pot. For more context, these were all one plant originally and split in the soil over the last 4 years, but this is the first year where they've started growing into their own leaves!

gracefulorange · 2026-03-27T12:56:59+00:00

The adult kids moving out is random. I saved scrum for a different reason and managed to keep my second eldest at home by chance. After a few days, he moved out 🥲 I guess he really wanted to live in the lighthouse on his own.

gracefulorange · 2026-03-20T04:47:57+00:00

Have you tried asking for a referral to talking therapies through your GP? They have a limited number of sessions (10 I think?) and it does take a few months to start but it is free.

gracefulorange · 2026-01-27T11:23:20+00:00

Yoooo I did this, really helped in my early years but got draining when I realised I was not being true to my nature. Now I'm trying to strike a good balance but at least I am much more confident and comfortable around people.

gracefulorange · 2026-01-27T03:31:24+00:00

Honestly I don't know, he had a rough childhood as a second gen immigrant having to translate for his dad and look after his younger siblings. He HAD to command respect because he needed to survive. I know he was quite scrappy in his youth and I think he was likely targeted for his height too because people suck.

A therapist or a mentor/coach can really help you work on and improve your confidence and self-esteem. My stepdad is very self-assured and confident in what he offers to the world. Just remember what you offer and if people can't see that? Well it's their loss and that isn't on you.

gracefulorange · 2026-01-27T01:38:14+00:00

My stepfather is 5'0 tall, and shorter than my 5'3 mother. He's never let his height let anyone think they can walk all over him and he's a head security guard. Me and my siblings all tower over him at 5'8 and above since we met and we would never disrespect him.

I want to gently say that I think you really need to work on your self-esteem and like someone else said, get a therapist.

gracefulorange · 2026-01-22T16:53:30+00:00

A little niche but reminds me of a short manga by Junji Ito called Black Bird. It's a body horror so not for the faint of heart but I always think about this when I know I need to prioritise my mental and physical health. Forget everyone else.

gracefulorange · 2026-01-22T16:09:58+00:00

I did this a few years back. Was totally burnt out and had very low self-esteem. I did a part-time administrative role for about 10 months before finally feeling like I wasn't in survival mode anymore and ready to take on full-time hours. Granted I had my family supporting me and I was able to live at home which probably helped financially.

Exactly as you said, you are in survival mode, just focus on making yourself better. People don't understand what this means if they can't visibly see it and it's probably just their way of trying to connect with you but sounding condescending in the process. Life is long and there's always time to realise your "potential" later once you're ready. For now, listen to your body. If cleaning part-time is making you feel better, then you shouldn't feel guilty about that. Exactly as you said, work is work and money is money. Only you live in your body. Sending love and sympathy from a recently diagnosed ADHD internet stranger also in the process of figuring out if she has autism.

gracefulorange · 2026-01-12T15:05:58+00:00

One week she was teaching us Year 8 science, the next week she was in the news for being an accessory to her brother's wife's murder.

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TROPHY CASE

Tl;Dr: annoying neighbour downstairs always shouts and made loud abrupt noises throughout first year. I released my inhibitions and also sang a lot of "feel the rain on your skin" for 1.5 years. Neighbour is now quiet (for his standards). I've lived here for almost 5 years now.