Applying for jobs has never been easier. That's exactly the problem.
The Job Application Overload: Why Easy Applying Isn't Helping Job Seekers
After earning his master’s in computer science in 2024, Mihir Goyenka, a 24-year-old from Tempe, Arizona, spent eight months applying to thousands of software engineering jobs. “If I saw a company name, I’d think, ‘Yeah, I’ve applied there,’” he told Business Insider. Despite advice to avoid the “spray and pray” approach and focus on networking, Goyenka found little success until he treated job hunting as a numbers game, submitting as many applications as possible. His persistence paid off in March 2025, when he landed a web developer role in Phoenix through Handshake after a quick interview process.
Goyenka’s experience reflects a broader trend. LinkedIn reported a 45% year-over-year surge in job applications as of May 2025, highlighting the intense competition in today’s job market. While platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake make applying easier with just a few clicks, this convenience has a downside: it floods employers with résumés, making it harder for candidates to stand out.
After earning his master’s in computer science in 2024, Mihir Goyenka, a 24-year-old from Tempe, Arizona, spent eight months applying to thousands of software engineering jobs. “If I saw a company name, I’d think, ‘Yeah, I’ve applied there,’” he told Business Insider. Despite advice to avoid the “spray and pray” approach and focus on networking, Goyenka found little success until he treated job hunting as a numbers game, submitting as many applications as possible. His persistence paid off in March 2025, when he landed a web developer role in Phoenix through Handshake after a quick interview process.
Goyenka’s experience reflects a broader trend. LinkedIn reported a 45% year-over-year surge in job applications as of May 2025, highlighting the intense competition in today’s job market. While platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake make applying easier with just a few clicks, this convenience has a downside: it floods employers with résumés, making it harder for candidates to stand out.
The Double-Edged Sword of Easy Applications
“Easy apply” features sound like a win—less time, fewer steps. But as Jenny Dearborn, chief people strategy officer at BTS, told Business Insider, “It’s way too easy, and that’s not a good thing.” The flood of applications creates a “tsunami of digital paperwork,” overwhelming HR teams. Many rely on applicant-tracking systems (ATS) to filter résumés, often prioritizing keywords over quality. This can screen out qualified candidates who don’t perfectly match job descriptions or who use AI-generated applications that lack depth.
Lindsey Zuloaga, chief data scientist at Hirevue, which develops applicant-screening tools, said automation is often necessary to handle the volume. For a recent senior data scientist role, Zuloaga received 4,000 applications, half of which were unqualified—including one from a real estate agent. “The numbers are stacked against you,” she said, noting that even relevant résumés can get lost without ATS optimization.
“Easy apply” features sound like a win—less time, fewer steps. But as Jenny Dearborn, chief people strategy officer at BTS, told Business Insider, “It’s way too easy, and that’s not a good thing.” The flood of applications creates a “tsunami of digital paperwork,” overwhelming HR teams. Many rely on applicant-tracking systems (ATS) to filter résumés, often prioritizing keywords over quality. This can screen out qualified candidates who don’t perfectly match job descriptions or who use AI-generated applications that lack depth.
Lindsey Zuloaga, chief data scientist at Hirevue, which develops applicant-screening tools, said automation is often necessary to handle the volume. For a recent senior data scientist role, Zuloaga received 4,000 applications, half of which were unqualified—including one from a real estate agent. “The numbers are stacked against you,” she said, noting that even relevant résumés can get lost without ATS optimization.
The Emotional Toll of Serial Applying
The ease of applying fuels a cycle of frustration. A 2024 LinkedIn survey across multiple countries found that 37% of job seekers are applying more but hearing back less, often getting “ghosted” by employers. Laura Labovich, who runs an outplacement firm in Washington, D.C., said this can erode confidence: “You feel terrible when no human even sees your résumé.”
Erin McGoff, founder of AdviceWithErin, calls this a “cobra effect”—a solution that worsens the problem. AI tools that promise tailored résumés with a swipe, akin to Tinder, only add to the noise. “It doesn’t work because everyone else is doing it, too,” McGoff told Business Insider. The result is a crowded field where strong candidates get buried.
The ease of applying fuels a cycle of frustration. A 2024 LinkedIn survey across multiple countries found that 37% of job seekers are applying more but hearing back less, often getting “ghosted” by employers. Laura Labovich, who runs an outplacement firm in Washington, D.C., said this can erode confidence: “You feel terrible when no human even sees your résumé.”
Erin McGoff, founder of AdviceWithErin, calls this a “cobra effect”—a solution that worsens the problem. AI tools that promise tailored résumés with a swipe, akin to Tinder, only add to the noise. “It doesn’t work because everyone else is doing it, too,” McGoff told Business Insider. The result is a crowded field where strong candidates get buried.
A Broken System for Matching Talent
Kiki Leutner, co-founder of SeeTalent.ai, a UK startup developing AI-driven job-task simulations, described the process as a “lottery-like scenario.” Job seekers often can’t speak to anyone at a company before applying, leaving them guessing about fit. Meanwhile, employers screen for irrelevant criteria, prompting applicants to submit en masse to bypass ATS gatekeepers. This mismatch frustrates both sides, as neither fully understands the other’s needs or offerings.
Kiki Leutner, co-founder of SeeTalent.ai, a UK startup developing AI-driven job-task simulations, described the process as a “lottery-like scenario.” Job seekers often can’t speak to anyone at a company before applying, leaving them guessing about fit. Meanwhile, employers screen for irrelevant criteria, prompting applicants to submit en masse to bypass ATS gatekeepers. This mismatch frustrates both sides, as neither fully understands the other’s needs or offerings.
A Slowing Job Market Intensifies Competition
As the job market cools in 2025, competition is intensifying. Tech layoffs, ongoing since 2022, and the rise of generative AI are reducing hiring, particularly for entry-level white-collar roles. Highly educated candidates, including recent graduates and MBAs, face unprecedented challenges. Zuloaga noted that even unqualified applicants apply, clogging the system further.
As the job market cools in 2025, competition is intensifying. Tech layoffs, ongoing since 2022, and the rise of generative AI are reducing hiring, particularly for entry-level white-collar roles. Highly educated candidates, including recent graduates and MBAs, face unprecedented challenges. Zuloaga noted that even unqualified applicants apply, clogging the system further.
Strategies for Standing Out
Goyenka’s eventual success came through persistence, but he wishes he’d networked more. Experts suggest:
- Targeted Applications: Tailor résumés to job descriptions, using relevant keywords to pass ATS filters.
- Networking: Build connections via LinkedIn or industry events to gain insights and referrals.
- Skill-Building: Platforms like Handshake or SeeTalent.ai’s task-based assessments can help demonstrate fit beyond a résumé.
Goyenka’s eventual success came through persistence, but he wishes he’d networked more. Experts suggest:
- Targeted Applications: Tailor résumés to job descriptions, using relevant keywords to pass ATS filters.
- Networking: Build connections via LinkedIn or industry events to gain insights and referrals.
- Skill-Building: Platforms like Handshake or SeeTalent.ai’s task-based assessments can help demonstrate fit beyond a résumé.
The ease of applying for jobs has created a paradox: more applications, less visibility. As job seekers like Goyenka flood the market with résumés, employers lean on imperfect screening tools, and candidates face rejection or silence. While persistence and volume can eventually yield results, as Goyenka’s story shows, a smarter approach—combining targeted applications, networking, and skill-focused platforms—may offer a better path through the noise. Until the hiring process evolves, job hunting remains a grueling numbers game, but strategic moves can improve the odds.
The ease of applying for jobs has created a paradox: more applications, less visibility. As job seekers like Goyenka flood the market with résumés, employers lean on imperfect screening tools, and candidates face rejection or silence. While persistence and volume can eventually yield results, as Goyenka’s story shows, a smarter approach—combining targeted applications, networking, and skill-focused platforms—may offer a better path through the noise. Until the hiring process evolves, job hunting remains a grueling numbers game, but strategic moves can improve the odds.