June 16, 2026, (Inside AI) — A new workplace behavior is spreading among professionals: doomjobbing. It describes the act of endlessly scrolling job portals and firing off applications, driven not by a desire to switch roles but by anxiety over AI and job security.
The Anxiety Behind the Applications
Doomjobbing stems from fear, not ambition. Col. Dr. Rashmi Mittal, Pro-Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, explains the root cause.
“Many professionals equate constant movement with growth and therefore focus on the hunt for opportunities, rather than the development of expertise and long-term value creation.”
Navneet Oberoi, Vice President at TrueBlue Advisory, sees a similar pattern. He says applications often feel reactive, a way to seek reassurance in uncertain times. The threat feels real: AI reshapes industries, layoffs dominate headlines, and workers constantly check their employability.
Asma Shaikh, Co-founder and MD of Enthral.ai, notes that many aren't trying to leave their jobs. They seek confidence that their skills remain relevant and a growth path exists.
How Recruiters Spot Panic Applications
Anxiety creates activity, not results. Gurveen Kaur, a Delhi-based recruiter, almost shortlisted a candidate before noticing they were based in Pakistan. She says the attitude is often, “the job market is already bad, let’s just apply and hope for a lucky break.” She receives many half-baked, irrelevant applications.
Applicants often claim relocation willingness but back off at the last moment. The result is a flood of rushed, generic submissions disconnected from roles. Ankit Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of Unstop, says job searches used to be event-driven. Now they are continuous, with professionals constantly tracking opportunities and benchmarking themselves.
The downside? Quality suffers. Recruiters agree that ten thoughtful applications beat a hundred random ones.
Why Generic Resumes Fail in the AI Era
Volume is not a strategy. Recruiters look for relevance. A generic CV describes past work, but a strong application explains role fit. Vimal Dangri, CHRO and General Counsel of Mastek, warns against indiscriminate applying.
“Applying indiscriminately can dilute a candidate's efforts and may even create the impression that they are unclear about their career direction.”
Tailoring matters more now, when AI makes generating dozens of CVs easy. Customization shows a candidate understands the role and can articulate value. Dangri notes recruiters quickly spot generic applications. Shaikh adds that professionals must ensure skills evolve with their industry, building AI literacy and domain expertise.
Shailesh Khanna, Brand lead at ManpowerGroup India, shifts the conversation. “The conversation shouldn't be about whether AI will replace people. It should be about how people can develop the skills needed to work effectively alongside it.” Employability hinges on adaptability, continuous learning, and working with technology.
Building Skills Over Panic-Applying
ManpowerGroup’s Q3 2026 Employment Outlook Survey shows 59% of Indian employers plan to increase hiring next quarter. India reports the strongest hiring outlook globally. Yet experts urge professionals to spend less time refreshing portals and more time building skills.
Oberoi says, “Don't just focus on getting employed. Focus on becoming employable.” That means improving AI literacy, learning tools, taking projects, networking, or deepening expertise. The most secure professionals aren't the ones submitting the most applications. They continuously build capabilities.
Doomjobbing feels productive, but as Aggarwal points out, it's crucial not to confuse activity with progress. A stronger career comes from consistent learning, adaptability, and long-term growth—not panic-applying to every job on screen.
