He Applied for Over 1,500 Jobs – Why Did This MBA Keep Getting Rejected?

Marcial Quinones, 48, is living proof that an MBA doesn’t always guarantee job security. Despite his advanced education and years of experience, Quinones has been tirelessly searching for stable work, submitting more than 1,500 job applications over the past decade, with little success. For a man who once found employment without even a high school diploma, his current reality feels nothing short of frustrating.

Quinones believes the reasons behind his lack of success are a combination of being overqualified, a lack of recent experience, and the ever-growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in hiring processes. “I wish there was an easier way, but traditional ways of looking for employment have been overshadowed by artificial intelligence and lack of human interaction,” he said.

A Changing Job Market

In the 1990s, Quinones had no trouble finding work, even without a diploma. He entered the tech field early, taking on various contract jobs and eventually landing a role as head technician for a computer company. He moved on to Intel in 1999, where he worked as an IT manager. However, that was over two decades ago, and the job market has since changed drastically. Men’s employment rates have fallen since the 1950s, and the need for higher education has grown significantly, making it harder for even seasoned professionals like Quinones to find work.

After losing his job in 2010 due to personal challenges, Quinones’ search for employment in tech or counseling has been long and unyielding. Despite his MBA in technology management, he often finds himself stuck in a no-man’s land, either overqualified or lacking the specific recent experience that employers seem to demand.

Overcoming Life’s Hurdles

Quinones’ journey has been anything but easy. Growing up in a tough environment, he dropped out of school in the seventh grade and found himself living in youth shelters. By the age of 18, he became a father and realized the need to change his life’s trajectory. “At that point in my life, I was trying to change everything and become better because I knew that I would be a father,” he recalled.

It was this sense of responsibility that pushed him into the world of computers. His natural talent for technology helped him land various tech jobs throughout the 1990s. However, as the job market became more competitive and degrees more valuable, Quinones returned to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer programming and later an MBA.

Despite these efforts, finding a stable job has remained an uphill battle. “I’ve walked into local businesses to start talking about working, and I’m told that I would not be happy working there because it is not part of my high-skilled profession,” Quinones said. In one instance, he even left out his educational background to avoid being perceived as overqualified, but his work history gave him away.

Taking Matters Into His Own Hands

Quinones hasn’t just waited for opportunity to knock; he’s built his own. He created an inventory management software program, securing a few contracts with small businesses. He also worked as an Uber driver and even printed custom images on products to earn extra income. Yet, none of these ventures have provided the long-term stability he seeks.

He hasn’t shied away from hard work, either. To cut costs, he has taken on home repairs and maintenance tasks himself, including plumbing and car repairs. His wife, who works remotely as a sales supervisor, has been the family’s primary financial support in recent years.

In a bid for security, Quinones even pursued a master’s degree in family and marriage counseling, only to drop out with just four classes remaining due to financial constraints. “Finish my master’s degree in counseling, which is not easy because of the cost,” he shared, illustrating the many challenges standing in his way.

Why the Job Search Is So Tough

According to Quinones, one of the biggest issues in his job search is the changing expectations of employers. With job postings often going to internal candidates, or applications filtered by AI systems, it’s tough for someone in his position to even get a foot in the door. “I used to get interviews for jobs where I beat out 600 people,” he said, “Now, it’s hard to get a job when you don’t have a foot in the door to interview.”

He believes his Latino background may also have played a role in the difficulties he’s faced. On one occasion, a company turned him down while giving an application to his wife, who is white. To test this theory, Quinones started using a shortened version of his middle name, Tony, and saw a higher interview rate.

The Road Ahead

Despite everything, Quinones remains determined. He continues to apply for jobs, catering his résumé and cover letters specifically to each role. But with technology moving faster than ever, he acknowledges that he may be behind on certain trends, particularly in fields that are rapidly evolving, like AI.

“If you haven’t been employed in a while, I can’t magically snap my fingers and make it happen,” Quinones admitted, alluding to the skepticism employers may have about his employment gaps.

Still, he presses on, hopeful that the right opportunity will eventually come his way. For now, his story stands as a reminder that even those with the highest qualifications can struggle in a world where the rules seem to change every day.