The only places they are getting hired are likely the ones that have hr do the hiring. I doubt there are too many places where someone who didn't know what active record was could get a job.
I've done some interviewing and it's pretty surprising how bad most candidates are for technical positions.
I once was told to help interview some potential developers to work with me, but I was then told I wasn't allowed to "ask any very technical questions." (and their threshold for "very technical" was very, very low)
Of 3 people who were hired (one, then another a two years later, then another a month after that) the 3rd one turned out well.
I've done some interviewing and it's pretty surprising how bad most candidates are for technical positions.