I've been on the job hunt for about three months now, and I've noticed a frustrating trend in the job market. When I first started my career six years ago, job descriptions were straightforward—usually just a page with a few bullet points outlining the role and requirements. But now, it seems like every posting has turned into a lengthy novella. I'm seeing listings that demand 15 required skills and 10 preferred ones, along with extensive sections about company culture and values. What really gets me is that despite these inflated expectations, the salaries haven't budged much. I'm looking at roles that require knowledge of multiple software platforms, social media expertise, light graphic design skills, and even some management experience, yet the pay remains the same as it was years ago. Just last week, I had an interview where they took 20 minutes to explain all the different responsibilities I would have. At the end, they casually mentioned that the salary was actually at the lower end of the range they posted because I would be 'growing into' some of those responsibilities. It left me wondering why they included those skills as requirements in the first place. I’m starting to question if I'm applying for the right positions or if this is just the new normal. Some friends suggest I should apply anyway and negotiate later, but I feel like I'm wasting my time on roles that aren't upfront about their compensation.