"....but because there's so many applicants." .. Indeed, every job attracts hundreds of c.v.s, because its a one-click process to apply. No self-respecting HR department will go through them meticulously, so that job is outsourced to low-cost agencies who haven't a clue about the technologies, and rely on archaic keyword searches to whittle the list down and end up with SEO-optimised fiction.

Not only US Its about commoditisation of skills and lack of vision from a generation of middle managers who don't just want someone who can do the job, but someone who can do the job *tomorrow, without any lead-up*. Never mind it takes time to adapt to new processes anyway - the job spec says Mysql 5.2. Therefore nothing but Mysql 5.2 will do. The recruitment industry should bears its share of responsibility also.