Many people are finding out just how frustrating it can be to conduct a job search in the current economy. An excess supply of job seekers means that companies can afford to take the time to search for the most desirable applicants. This often makes the hiring process more difficult as employers can make increased demands of applicants. Applicants who go through these steps to prove their worth, only to be told that they were not chosen for the job, often feel extremely discouraged.
See "For Job Seekers, More Hoops and Hurdles", Betsy Cummings, The New York Times, November 16, 2003