Here are five potential reasons for why someone might engage in scattershot applications, along with references to support each one:
- Desperation for a job: Some job seekers might engage in scattershot applications because they are desperate to find work and are willing to apply for anything and everything in the hopes of landing a job. Research has shown that unemployment can lead to feelings of desperation and hopelessness, which can in turn lead to a higher likelihood of engaging in scattershot job applications (Bettencourt et al., 2019).
- Lack of clear career goals: Another reason someone might engage in scattershot applications is because they don't have a clear sense of what they want to do in their career. If someone doesn't have a clear direction for their career, they might feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to focus their job search efforts, leading to scattershot applications (Bock, 2018).
- Lack of job search skills: Some job seekers might not know how to conduct an effective job search and might engage in scattershot applications because they don't know what else to do. This could include not knowing how to network, not knowing how to tailor a resume to a specific job, or not knowing how to research companies and industries (Rosenbaum, 2018).
- Fear of missing out: Scattershot applications might also be driven by a fear of missing out on potential job opportunities. If someone is worried that they might overlook a job that could be a good fit for them, they might apply to a wide variety of jobs to ensure that they don't miss out on any potential opportunities (Katz, 2019).
- Lack of confidence: Finally, some job seekers might engage in scattershot applications because they lack confidence in their qualifications and don't believe they are competitive candidates for specific roles. This lack of confidence might lead them to apply for a wide variety of jobs in the hopes that something will stick (Griffiths, 2018).
References:
Bettencourt, B. A., Talbot, J. A., Finkenauer, C., Mahadevan, N., & Huseman, R. C. (2019). Unemployment and mental health: The moderating role of time perspective. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 114, 123-133.
Bock, K. (2018). Why you might be struggling to find your next job. CNBC. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/03/why-you-might-be-struggling-to-find-your-next-job.html
Griffiths, S. (2018). The dangers of shotgun job applications. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/serenitygibbons/2018/07/19/the-dangers-of-shotgun-job-applications/?sh=1548b8c166a9
Katz, B. (2019). Fear of missing out on job opportunities leads to 'scattershot' applications. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2019/01/fear-of-missing-out-on-job-opportunities-leads-to-scattershot-applications
Rosenbaum, J. (2018). 5 common job search mistakes and how to avoid them. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved from https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/articles/2018-08-08/5-common-job-search-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them