Systemic Contradictions
Recurring Patterns Catalog
Named graph motifs describing structural double-binds, asymmetries, and feedback traps across the hiring process.
P Pattern (P-001) Evidence: supported
View full motif → Seniority Double Bind
Candidate is simultaneously rejected as overqualified for junior/mid roles and underqualified (or insufficiently specialized) for staff/leadership roles.
Trigger Rule: Candidate observes rejection for overqualification at level N and skill-depth shortfall at level N+1 within the same market cycle.
Establishes:
- Candidate falls into an evaluation boundary gap where compensation/experience expectations mismatch standard job tiers.
Does NOT Establish:
- Does not establish that the candidate lacks market value.
- Does not establish malice or coordinated collusion between employers.
P Pattern (P-002) Evidence: supported
View full motif → Closed-Then-Reposted Requisition Motif
A candidate completes multiple late-stage interviews, is rejected with a generic message, and sees the identical role reposted weeks later.
Trigger Rule: Candidate observes role closure/rejection followed by public reopening of materially similar role listing within 60 days.
Establishes:
- The requisition requirements or target profile were not satisfied by the interviewed pool, or search criteria changed mid-process.
Does NOT Establish:
- Does not establish that the original job listing was fake or a ghost job.
- Does not establish that candidate was intentionally misled.
P Pattern (P-003) Evidence: supported
View full motif → Experience-Age Impossibility
Requisition requires more years of hands-on experience in a specific framework or tool than that technology has existed in the open-source ecosystem.
Trigger Rule: Job description or automated screen requires X years of experience where X > technology_age.
Establishes:
- Job description was authored without technical review, using copy-paste templates with automated gating rules.
Does NOT Establish:
- Does not imply technical team is incompetent, only that HR screening pipeline lacks technical validation.
P Pattern (P-004) Evidence: supported
View full motif → Compensation Double Bind
Candidate is required to state salary expectation first; quoting high triggers immediate rejection, while quoting low triggers leveling downranking.
Trigger Rule: Asymmetric salary inquiry where employer refuses band disclosure prior to candidate submitting binding number.
Establishes:
- Information asymmetry is utilized as an uncalibrated gatekeeper before technical merit is evaluated.
Does NOT Establish:
- Does not mean employer has unlimited budget or malice.