unhirable
Not worth hiring
Unhirable describes someone considered unsuitable for employment.
The word implies a serious deficiency—criminal history, catastrophic references, or behavior that disqualifies a candidate: After the viral video, he became unhirable in the industry.
Unlike merely unqualified, unhirable suggests no employer would take the risk.
Not meeting requirements
- barredBlocked from entry
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
- excludedShut out, denied entry
rejected · blacklisted · debarred · disallowed · vetoed · suspended · expelled · revoked
Lacking required credentials
- ineptLacking skill or competence
- incapableLacking requisite ability
- unskilledLacking acquired competence
- untrainedLacking learned skills
ineffective · unfit · inadequate · unproficient · amateurish · bungling · maladroit · inexperienced
Capable of causing harm
- pariahRejected, shunned person
- unwelcomeNot wanted here
- shunnedPersistently avoided socially
- avoidedDeliberately stayed away from
rejected · unpopular · problematic · difficult · troublesome · liability · risky · reputation
Treated unequally based on category
- stigmatizedMarked with social shame
- disadvantagedLacking social or economic resources
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- ageismPrejudice targeting older people
bias · prejudice · overqualified · underemployed · reentry · disabled · neurodivergent · immigrant
Amount exceeding requirement
- overstaffedHaving surplus employees
- superfluousExceeding what suffices
- unnecessaryNot essential or required
- dispensableAble to be sacrificed
replaceable · nonessential · extraneous · obsolete · automated · outsourced · downsized · restructured
ineligible
Not meeting requirements
- barredBlocked from entry
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
excluded · rejected · blacklisted · debarred · disallowed · vetoed · suspended · expelled · revoked · invalidated
unqualified
Lacking required credentials
- ineptLacking skill or competence
- incapableLacking requisite ability
- unskilledLacking acquired competence
untrained · ineffective · unfit · inadequate · unproficient · amateurish · bungling · maladroit · inexperienced · underqualified
toxic
Capable of causing harm
avoided · rejected · unpopular · problematic · difficult · troublesome · liability · risky · reputation · unreliable
discriminated
Treated unequally based on category
- stigmatizedMarked with social shame
- disadvantagedLacking social or economic resources
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
ageism · bias · prejudice · overqualified · underemployed · reentry · disabled · neurodivergent · immigrant · refugee
surplus
Amount exceeding requirement
- overstaffedHaving surplus employees
- superfluousExceeding what suffices
- unnecessaryNot essential or required
dispensable · replaceable · nonessential · extraneous · obsolete · automated · outsourced · downsized · restructured · consolidated