A growing number of job seekers are turning to a new habit known as doomjobbing, a trend that recruiters say is reshaping the hiring process and creating new challenges for both candidates and employers.
The practice involves endlessly scrolling job boards and submitting applications in bulk, often with minimal research, customization or consideration of whether a role is genuinely suitable. While the approach may appear efficient in a competitive labor market, hiring experts warn it could actually reduce a candidate’s chances of landing interviews.
The trend has gained momentum as one-click applications, smartphone job hunting and AI-powered writing tools make it easier than ever to apply for multiple positions within minutes.
What Is Doomjobbing and Why Is It Growing?
Doomjobbing combines the concepts of doomscrolling and job searching. Instead of carefully selecting opportunities, candidates repeatedly browse listings and apply to as many jobs as possible in a short period.
The rise of quick-apply features on employment platforms has significantly lowered the effort required to submit an application. Combined with artificial intelligence tools that can generate resumes and cover letters in seconds, job seekers can now apply for dozens of positions in the time it once took to complete a single application.
Recruitment specialists say the trend reflects growing frustration among workers who are facing a more competitive hiring environment and lower response rates from employers.
Recruiters Are Seeing a Major Shift in Candidate Behavior
According to recruitment firm Robert Half, many candidates are prioritizing application volume over quality. Lauren Haxby, Practice Director at the company, said some job seekers are applying for as many as 10 to 20 jobs in just five to 10 minutes.
While technology has made job hunting more convenient, recruiters argue that it has also encouraged a scattergun approach that often overlooks the importance of tailoring resumes and highlighting role-specific experience.
Employers are feeling the impact. Haxby noted that a financial accountant vacancy can attract up to 200 applications within the first 48 hours after being advertised online.
For smaller businesses and hiring managers without dedicated recruitment teams, reviewing such large numbers of applications can quickly become overwhelming.
The Numbers Behind the Doomjobbing Trend
Data suggests the trend is becoming increasingly common.
A Robert Half survey of 500 Australian hiring managers found that 82% had noticed a rise in overqualified applicants, which the company linked to a growing “apply-to-everything” mentality among job seekers.
The survey also revealed that 37% of employers believe AI-generated resumes are lowering overall application quality. Another 37% said the sheer volume of applications makes it difficult to properly assess candidates.
Meanwhile, research from employment platform Monster found that 48% of candidates had applied for jobs without reading the full description. Even more striking, 32% spent one minute or less reviewing a job posting before submitting an application.
Those figures suggest doomjobbing is not simply an Australian phenomenon but part of a broader shift in how people approach job hunting worldwide.
How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Job Search
AI tools have become an important part of modern recruitment. Candidates increasingly use platforms such as ChatGPT and Claude to create resumes, improve wording and draft cover letters.
While these tools can help job seekers present information more professionally, recruiters say they are also contributing to a flood of polished but generic applications.
Employers continue to place greater value on specific examples, measurable achievements and genuine experience than on perfectly written but overly broad resumes.
As AI becomes more deeply integrated into recruitment, many professionals are also exploring the most sought-after AI-related careers in today’s job market as demand for technical and digital skills continues to grow.
Why More Applications Do Not Always Lead to More Interviews
The logic behind doomjobbing is understandable. Candidates assume that sending more applications increases the odds of success.
However, recruiters argue that relevance matters more than volume. A generic application often fails to explain why an applicant is a good match for a particular role. It may also miss important keywords that companies use to filter candidates through applicant tracking systems.
In highly competitive sectors, even qualified candidates can be overlooked if their resumes fail to demonstrate a clear connection between their experience and the employer’s requirements.
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What Job Seekers Can Learn From the Trend
Doomjobbing highlights a growing challenge in the modern labor market: balancing efficiency with quality.
Experts generally recommend focusing on fewer applications while investing more effort into each one. Reading the job description carefully, adjusting a resume to match key requirements and including real-world accomplishments can significantly improve the chances of progressing to an interview.
Job seekers can still use AI as a productivity tool, but recruiters suggest combining it with personal insights, unique achievements and authentic examples that distinguish one candidate from another.
Employment data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also shows that labor market demand varies significantly across industries, making targeted applications more effective than applying indiscriminately.
As hiring processes continue to evolve, doomjobbing serves as a reminder that technology may make applying easier, but employers are still searching for candidates who demonstrate relevance, preparation and genuine interest in the role.
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