For the past twenty years, we’ve all been trained to approach information in a very specific way: we type a few keywords into a search bar and hit “Enter.” We do it for recipes, travel destinations, and naturally, for jobs.
Sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, or Google Jobs give us thousands of results. Type in “Project Manager in Chicago,” and you might get 4,320 listings. From there, the process begins: scrolling, clicking, reading, filtering—often for hours. Honestly, it’s a soul-crushing grind.
It’s a familiar grind, but according to Ethan, co-founder of Jobright, it’s also increasingly inefficient.
“We noticed early on that most people were spending countless hours on this kind of manual job search, and yet often missing good opportunities,” Ethan says. “That’s what led us to rethink the whole approach. The old way just isn’t cutting it anymore.”
The Limits of “Pull” Technology
Traditional job boards and search engines are “pull” systems: the effort is entirely on the user. This setup creates several problems.
1. The Keyword Trap: A search only matches what you type. A role titled “Client Experience Lead” might be perfect for someone searching “Customer Success Manager,” but it won’t show up because the words don’t match.
2. The Timing Gap: If a dream job is posted at 9 a.m. and you check at 8 p.m., you’re already behind. Staying competitive can feel like a full-time job in itself.
3. The Noise: Search engines profit from traffic and ads, not relevance. That leads to clutter, sponsored posts, and listings that aren’t even open. Candidates apply to the wrong jobs just to feel productive, and recruiters drown in unqualified applications.
Eric, Jobright’s co-founder, puts it bluntly:
“We often hear from users that the traditional job hunt is exhausting, repetitive, and overwhelming. It wasn’t enough to make a better search bar—we needed something that actually helped people get results.”
Enter the AI Agent
The solution isn’t just a better search bar—it’s a new way of finding jobs. Instead of hunting listings yourself, a personal AI Agent proactively finds opportunities that match a candidate’s skills, experience, and career goals.
“The Agent works while you sleep,” Ethan says. “Instead of sifting through hundreds of postings every day, users can focus on interviews and skill-building. The busywork disappears.”
1. 24/7 Market Scanning (While You Sleep)
Jobright’s Agent continuously monitors job postings, ensuring users see opportunities they might otherwise miss. “In our early tests, more than half of our users landed interviews within weeks,” Ethan says. “That’s the kind of speed we’re talking about.”
2. Intent-Based Matching (Beyond Keywords)
The Agent goes beyond keywords, considering the full context of a candidate’s experience, career goals, and trajectory. A Senior Developer won’t see Junior roles, and transferable skills are matched to potential new positions.
3. The “Noise” Filter (Quality Control)
Jobright filters out “ghost jobs” and low-probability matches, presenting users with a curated shortlist of roles they can realistically pursue.
“We’ve seen that applications submitted through Jobright have a higher interview conversion rate,” Eric explains. “Employers appreciate that, because they get fewer low-quality applications and more serious candidates.”
A Two-Sided Matching Revolution
The AI Agent benefits not just candidates, but employers as well. Recruiters no longer have to sift through hundreds or thousands of unqualified resumes. Instead, the platform enforces a simple rule:
- Candidate’s Agent applies only if the person is qualified.
- Employer’s system accepts only applications that meet core requirements.
When these two sides align, the connection is stronger and more efficient.
“This approach restores sanity to the hiring process,” Ethan says. “It’s not about replacing people, it’s about making the process smarter for everyone involved.”
Surviving the “Agent Economy”
For job seekers, adapting means rethinking strategy. A few tips from Ethan and Eric:
1. Provide Rich Data: Complete profiles with skills, experience, and tools improve matching.
2. Use Feedback Loops: If the Agent flags gaps—like missing certifications or experience—take it seriously. AI can show you where to upskill.
3. Focus on Human Skills: With the busywork automated, users can spend time on interviews, networking, and cultural fit—the parts AI can’t handle.
“Paradoxically, as finding jobs becomes more automated, the human element becomes even more valuable,” Eric notes.
Looking Ahead
Currently, Jobright’s Agent supports U.S.-based jobs in tech, education, and government, with plans to expand into other industries and regions carefully.
“We’re intentional about this growth,” Ethan says. “AI can’t fully understand every field out of the box. By working with domain experts and real-world data, we make sure the Agent continues to deliver high-quality, relevant matches.”
Most features are free, with a premium tier for unlimited usage and advanced tools.
“The free tier covers the majority of regular job search needs,” Eric adds. “Premium features, like resume rewriting and advanced analytics, are optional upgrades for those who want deeper insights.”
Conclusion: Stop Searching, Start Matching
The traditional search-based model for hiring has served its time. Today, tools like Jobright’s Agent show that a proactive, intelligent system can do much of the busywork while candidates focus on what matters most.
“Our goal isn’t just to build AI that applies for jobs,” Ethan says. “It’s to give people back their time and help them land real opportunities—because at the end of the day, it’s humans who do the hiring, and humans who take the next step in their careers.”
The era of searching for jobs is giving way to a future where the right opportunity finds you—guided by AI, but executed by people.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
