The stress of unemployment has some jobseekers 'doomjobbing'
The transcript discusses 'doom jobbing,' a phenomenon where stressed job seekers compulsively refresh job sites and mass-apply to roles. Experts argue this approach is counterproductive, leading to more rejections and mental strain. Career coaches recommend targeted applications, networking, and setting boundaries around job search time.
Summary
The transcript introduces 'doom jobbing,' a newly coined term describing the compulsive behavior of unemployed job seekers who constantly refresh job boards and frantically apply to numerous positions. Career coach Phoebe Gavin notes that this behavior is driven by a desire for a sense of control during the stressful job search process.
The report provides context for why this behavior has emerged: data from recruiting company Greenhouse shows that the average job opening in mid-2025 received over 240 applications — three times more than in 2017. Additionally, one in four unemployed job hunters have been searching for work for over six months. This intense competition creates pressure to apply to as many jobs as possible, as quickly as possible.
However, experts caution that mass applying is not the most effective strategy. Career coach Elelliana Goldstein explains that applying to poorly matched roles increases the likelihood of rejections. Both Goldstein and Gavin recommend narrowing the job search to positions where the candidate is genuinely interested and well-suited. They also emphasize the importance of networking, with Gavin noting that people tend to find work faster through personal connections than through online applications.
Finally, both experts stress the importance of mental health during the job search. They advise job seekers to set defined time limits for applications, networking, and building visibility on platforms like LinkedIn, and to balance that with decompression activities such as walking or socializing with friends.
Key Insights
- Career coach Phoebe Gavin argues that doom jobbing — compulsively scrolling and applying to jobs — gives job seekers a psychological sense of control rather than actually improving their chances of finding work.
- Greenhouse data shows the average job opening in mid-2025 received over 240 applications, three times more than in 2017, illustrating a dramatic increase in competition that fuels panic-driven mass applying.
- Career coach Elelliana Goldstein argues that mass applying to jobs that are not a good fit leads to more rejections rather than better outcomes, making targeted applications more effective.
- Phoebe Gavin claims that people tend to find work faster through their personal and professional connections than through applying online, making networking a higher-return activity than doom jobbing.
- Both career experts recommend that job seekers dedicate only a specific, bounded amount of time to job hunting activities and actively decompress through activities like walking or spending time with friends to protect mental health.
Topics
Transcript
[0:00] Anyone who's been job hunting recently knows the pain of scrolling through job posting after job posting after job posting. The phenomenon has become so commonplace that a new term has been coined to describe it. Doom jobbing. Due to the stress of looking for work, some job seekers find themselves constantly refreshing job sites and frantically applying to new roles. Trolling through online job boards can give job seekers a sense of control, according to career coach Phoebe Gavin. But does doom jobbing actually help you find a job faster? On the surface, it might make sense to cast as wide a net [0:31] as possible in your job search. According to online recruiting company Greenhouse, the average…
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