Have you ever wondered what happens when everyone takes the ‘apply to everything, even if you’re not qualified’ advice to heart? Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s wreaking havoc on the job market. In 2021 and 2022, this approach might have worked, but in 2025, it’s causing more harm than good.
I’ve seen job postings for mid-level software engineer roles that get flooded with applications from people with no relevant experience. We’re talking about retail workers, help desk staff, and even restaurant employees applying for these positions. And to make matters worse, AI-powered resume builders are making it seem like these applicants have coding experience when they don’t.
It’s not just the lack of qualifications that’s the problem. The sheer number of applicants who aren’t even citizens applying for US jobs is staggering. It’s like people are applying for everything without even considering whether they’re a good fit for the role or not.
This ‘apply to everything’ mantra might have been meant to encourage people to take risks and go for their dreams, but it’s had an unintended consequence. It’s creating a culture where people are applying for jobs without doing their research or considering their own strengths and weaknesses.
So, what can we do to fix this? For starters, we need to focus on building a more qualified and thoughtful applicant pool. We need to encourage people to take the time to research the companies they’re applying to and to tailor their applications to the specific job they’re applying for.
It’s time to rethink the ‘apply to everything’ mantra and focus on building a more intentional and thoughtful approach to job hunting.