You know doomscrolling—the endless, anxious scroll through bad news. Now meet its career-focused cousin: **doomjobbing**.
This emerging term describes the all-too-common habit of blasting out hundreds of generic job applications with minimal customization, often fueled by desperation and the false comfort of "Easy Apply" buttons. The result? Silence, rejection, and a serious toll on mental health.
> *"It was soul-crushing every single day."*
> — Kristen Haskell, mechanical engineer, after five months of doomjobbing
The Doomjobbing Trap
Kristen Haskell, 56, was laid off last February. Like many job seekers, her instinct was to cast the widest net possible: she applied to hundreds of roles across platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed. Months later, she had little to show for it but frustration and burnout.
*"Between ghost jobs and being ghosted, it was infuriating,"* she says—referring to postings for roles that are already filled, on hold, or never existed at all.
Haskell's experience isn't unique. Data from LinkedIn shows that while job applications surged over 45% from 2024 to 2025, response rates have dropped. The platform now processes an estimated **11,000 applications per minute**. More effort, less payoff.
*"It's rational that doing more feels good in the short term,"* says Andres Lares, CEO of Shapiro Negotiations Institute. *"But if it's not productive, it's worse in the long term when you don't land anything."*
Why Experts Say "Slow Down"
Career professionals consistently advise against the spray-and-pray approach.
*"While it may be tempting to hit 'Easy Apply' on everything that catches your eye, it's not the best way to go about job hunting,"* says Peter Duris, CEO of Kickresume. *"Mass applications often lead to more disappointment than success."*
The problem isn't just volume—it's visibility. When recruiters receive hundreds of near-identical resumes, generic applications get filtered out by applicant-tracking systems (ATS) or overlooked entirely.
The Better Strategy: Intentionality Over Volume
1. Narrow Your Focus
Use filters to target roles that truly align with your skills, salary expectations, location preferences, and values. Include dream companies, but be selective. Quality targets beat quantity every time.
2. Tailor Every Application
You don't need to rewrite your resume from scratch for each role—but do highlight the experience and keywords most relevant to that specific job. If a cover letter is requested, personalize it. Mention the company, the role, and why you're genuinely interested.
3. Optimize for ATS and Alerts
- Use keywords from the job description in your resume to pass automated screenings.
- Set up job alerts on major boards so you're notified of new postings that match your criteria—then apply early.
4. Apply Directly When Possible
Haskell found more success applying through company career pages rather than third-party platforms. Direct applications often bypass some ATS filters and signal a stronger interest.
5. Track Your Progress
Haskell created a simple worksheet to organize her search:
| Role | Company | Location | Notes | Follow-Up | Status |
|------|---------|----------|-------|-----------|--------|
| Project Manager | State of Maine | Remote | Requires PMP cert | Email hiring manager 5/10 | Applied |
This structure helped her stay focused, avoid repetition, and follow up strategically.
How Many Applications Is "Enough"?
Indeed's Career Guide recommends **10–15 targeted applications per week**—roughly 2–3 per day. This pace allows time for customization without burnout.
*"With two or three applications each day, you can make sure that you're able to customize each job application based on the specific company and position,"* writes Indeed's Sabina Macari.
Remember: diminishing returns are real. Spending eight hours perfecting one application isn't sustainable. Aim for thoughtful, not perfect.
This advice arrives during a complex labor moment: unemployment remains low, yet job seekers—especially new graduates—report growing anxiety. A Federal Reserve report released this week found that 42% of adults now cite "finding or keeping a job" as a concern, up from 37% in 2024.
Haskell eventually landed a role managing construction projects for the state of Maine—not by applying to more jobs, but by applying to the *right* ones.
*"It is really bad out there, and we the people need help,"* she says. *"But shifting my approach gave me back a sense of control."*
Quick Checklist: Are You Doomjobbing?
✅ You apply to 20+ jobs in a single sitting
✅ You use the same resume/cover letter for every role
✅ You rarely research the company before applying
✅ You feel discouraged, but keep "just in case" applying
✅ You track applications in your head, not on paper
If you checked multiple boxes, it may be time to pause and pivot.
The Takeaway
Job searching in a tough market is emotionally taxing. But flooding the zone with generic applications often deepens the frustration without improving outcomes.
Instead:
🔹 Be selective
🔹 Be specific
🔹 Be strategic
Your time, energy, and mental health are valuable. Invest them where they're most likely to pay off—not in the endless scroll of "Easy Apply."