420 applications, only rejections: “At 60, no one wants you”

In Austria , a report by the Austrian website " Heute " about AMS courses is causing a stir: More and more people are speaking out about their experiences with labor market training. AMS courses are programs run by the Public Employment Service (AMS) that aim to prepare unemployed people for a return to work through application training, qualifications, or language courses. Martina's (name changed) story is particularly striking. Martina's (name changed) story is particularly striking.

The 60-year-old told "Heute" that she has already submitted 420 applications but has received nothing but rejections. "At 60, absolutely no one wants you," she says. She finds the courses themselves unhelpful: "We are four Austrians, and twelve participants are from abroad." She was particularly annoyed by one participant who drove a BMW to the course, while also receiving social security benefits and earning extra money on the weekends.

Martina also has critical words for the AMS staff. She claims her advisor is "on an esoteric trip" with incense sticks and candlelight, while other trainers apparently don't take their duties particularly seriously. According to "Heute," a reader also reports on a course instructor who was himself long-term unemployed and regularly shouted at the participants.

While job seekers in Austria complain about unsuccessful courses and hopeless applications, a study by the job portal Stepstone shows why many applications fail in the first selection process.

• Lack of core competencies: 70 percent of HR managers immediately reject applications without suitable skills.
• Lack of professional experience: 58 percent complain about a lack of practice in the relevant field.
• Poor formatting: 33 percent are bothered by confusing and incorrect documents.
• Incomplete application: 26 percent complain about missing documents or information.
• Gaps in the CV: 23 percent of applications fail due to unexplained time off.