People are now looking for jobs... through witches: career spells become an unexpected trend

While employers are introducing artificial intelligence to screen candidates and recruiters are receiving thousands of applications for a single vacancy, some job seekers have decided to seek help... from witches. Against the backdrop of a challenging labour market, demand is growing for so-called «career spells» — magical rituals that, according to their creators, help people land their dream job.

According to Western media reports, online platforms such as Etsy and specialised esoteric services offer dozens of options for «magical support» for career advancement. The cost of such services ranges from a few dollars to hundreds, while some practitioners offer entire ritual packages with ongoing client support.

What modern witches promise

The range of services is impressive. Clients are promised faster interview invitations, more attention from recruiters, help making their CV stand out among hundreds of others, and even ensuring that it ends up «on the CEO’s desk».

To perform the rituals, some practitioners ask only for the client’s name, date of birth and photograph. Others use candles, herbs, crystals, Tarot cards, runes and special incantations. Some recommend that clients carry out additional actions themselves: lighting candles at a specific time, writing down their wishes, reciting spells or burning printed rejection letters from employers.

Why people are willing to pay for magic

Experts believe the issue is not a widespread fascination with the occult. The main reason is psychological burnout.

In many countries, the labour market remains difficult. Prestigious vacancies can attract thousands of applications, while companies are increasingly using automated artificial intelligence systems to screen CVs. As a result, many candidates spend months sending dozens or even hundreds of applications, receiving little to no feedback.

For some people, turning to esotericism becomes a way to regain a sense of control over the situation. Even if a person does not fully believe in magic, the ritual itself can reduce anxiety and create the feeling that they have done everything possible.

Psychologists note that interest in such practices traditionally increases during periods of economic instability. Similar surges were observed after the global financial crisis of 2008 and during the COVID-19 pandemic, when millions of people faced layoffs and uncertainty.

Magic versus algorithms

The paradox of the current situation is that job hunting is becoming increasingly technological. Companies use artificial intelligence to analyse CVs, automated systems reject unsuitable candidates before a person even sees their documents, and interviews are increasingly held online.

Against this backdrop, some job seekers are trying to counter technology with... mysticism. Stories have already appeared online from people who link receiving a job offer specifically to a ritual they performed. However, there is no scientific evidence that such practices are effective.

What specialists say

HR experts emphasise that a well-written CV, tailoring an application to a specific vacancy, developing professional skills and thorough interview preparation are far more likely to help someone secure a job.

Nevertheless, the story of «career spells» offers a revealing picture of the mood in today’s labour market. When months of searching bring no results, some people are willing to try almost any method that offers even a small amount of hope.

In the age of artificial intelligence and digital recruitment, magical rituals have unexpectedly become another way to cope with stress. And although they are unlikely to replace professional skills, the very fact that demand for such services is growing shows how difficult the job search has become for many people.