Are we actually in an era of “more people than jobs?”
Obviously there is some (long term) unemployment so in some sense the answer is yes. But that sense is also not relevant to job seekers: if I’m looking for a job then I would only be concerned if that were the case for the sort of jobs I’d be applying to (eg computer programming). And I think in that area there are generally more jobs than people.
It is not that companies want to waste (your) time. It boils down to the principle that a company will almost always, given the chance, choose to pay you x100$ less (arbitrary figure). Why? Because you are just a cog in the machine in their eyes. A number. You are replaceable. AI can now render the work you do inefficient (and subsequently take your job).
However in the era of “more people than jobs” that has drifted away.
If you don’t value my time now then why is it going to be any different if I work for you?
Lack of salary and clarity on the role is an instant “not wasting my time with that” signal for me.