Resume spamming means submitting resumes to job postings before reading the job description, location, hours of work, or required qualifications.  Job boards make it easy to click the “apply” button, and it feels productive. You can apply to hundreds of jobs in a day! But is it effective?

The answer is no! Only 15% of positions are filled through job postings. And, spamming your resume will likely do more harm than good. Recruiters don’t look kindly on people who waste their time, and we tend to remember repeat offenders. Once you are labelled a resume spammer, your resume is likely to go straight to the trash bin on future applications.

For recruiters and hiring managers, resume spammers create additional work and make the hiring process more time-consuming, not to mention unpleasant. I frequently speak to applicants who don’t remember applying, and express a lack of interest (sometimes rudely) once I’ve explained the role.

Is there a better way? Absolutely. Targeting specific companies and jobs, networking, tailoring your approach are far more effective tactics. Track your applications to avoid multiple applications to the same job.

Put yourself in the hiring manager’s place: Would you hire a spammer?