Stop 'Doomjobbing': Why Mass Job Applications Hurt Your Career Search

Are you sending out dozens of job applications every day, hoping something sticks? You might be 'doomjobbing' — and it could be hurting your chances of finding work.

What is Doomjobbing?

Doomjobbing is when job seekers mass-apply to hundreds of positions without customizing their applications. It's like throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. The term comes from 'doomscrolling' (mindlessly scrolling through bad news on your phone).

Kristen Haskell, a 56-year-old engineer, spent five months sending out hundreds of applications. "It was soul-crushing," she said. Despite all that effort, she got mostly rejections or no responses at all.

Why It Doesn't Work

The numbers tell the story: • 37% of job seekers are applying to more jobs than ever • LinkedIn receives 11,000 applications per minute • Job applications on LinkedIn jumped 45% from 2024 to 2025 • But people are hearing back less often from companies

What Works Better

Experts recommend quality over quantity: • Narrow your search — Only apply to jobs that truly match your skills • Customize each application — Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job posting • Write personalized cover letters — Show why you're perfect for that specific role • Set up job alerts — Let the right opportunities come to you

The Bottom Line

Sending 100 generic applications is less effective than sending 10 great ones. When you target the right jobs with customized applications, you're more likely to get interviews — and less likely to face a flood of rejections that crush your confidence.

This is an AI-generated summary. Read the original article at: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/are-you-doomjobbing-while-looking-for-work-know-the-signs-and-do-this-instead-5f44cec3?mod=mw_rss_topstories