Jobseekers feel overlooked despite qualifications, report finds

A new report urges recruiters to change their 'hiring lens' when considering candidates

BY Dexter Tilo 27 May 2025

Many jobseekers across Australia are getting overlooked during recruitment despite being qualified, according to a new report, with recruiters urged to revaluate the shortlisting process.

Findings in WorkPro's recent poll revealed that only 41.6% of Australian-born jobseekers feel that their experience has been recognised and considered for the roles they apply for.

This figure goes down for long-term residents, at 39.4%, and newly arrived migrant workers, with only 13.1% saying their experience was acknowledged for a role.

"Australia is home to thousands of highly capable job seekers, many of whom bring decades of experience, leadership, and adaptability. Yet they're routinely filtered out of the hiring process," said Tania Evans, CEO of WorkPro, in a statement.

According to the report, there are a variety of reasons why qualified jobseekers are getting overlooked. They are:

Many applicants are told they're either overqualified or underqualified, with little room for discussion
Hiring is network-driven, and those without networks don't get in
Experience is undervalued if it's not familiar
Feedback is rare, thereby discouraging re-application and not giving candidates the opportunity to improve

"Recruiters and HR professionals are under pressure: talent shortages, fast-changing job markets, and the increasing use of automation all shape how hiring happens," the report read. "But these pressures shouldn't lead to shortcuts that screen out capable people who don't fit a conventional mould."

A new 'hiring lens'

The report outlined a new "hiring lens" for employers and recruiters to help them avoid excluding qualified people at work.

Among the actions outlined in the hiring lens are:

Re-evaluating the shortlisting process
Creating structured entry pathways, such as internships, project roles, or trial contracts, for migrant workers
Implementing light-touch feedback protocols, even automated responses that offer brief context
Using inclusive job boards and removing internal-only sourcing for general roles

"If you're a recruiter, a hiring manager, a leader, this is your moment to change how you hire," the report said. "Strip away the noise. Re-examine the filters. Respond. Give feedback. Recognise capability even when it doesn't look like your usual hire."