What is rage applying and why it won't fix your career
Written by Jessica Roper, MBA
We all have ups and downs at work, but have you ever been at that stage where you鈥檝e finally had enough?
Maybe you found out the raise you were promised isn鈥檛 going to happen, or your micromanaging boss is constantly criticizing your work. Or perhaps you weren鈥檛 recognized for your role in a major project. 聽
These types of situations would understandably make even the most patient person furious. And while such situations aren鈥檛 new, how workers are responding to them is, giving way to a workplace trend dubbed 鈥渞age applying.鈥
A smart strategy or a waste of time?
Similar to quiet quitting and loud quitting, rage applying has gained traction among younger generations. The convenience of online job boards, combined with the trend鈥檚 popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, have fueled this behavior in which dissatisfied or burned-out workers hastily apply for dozens, sometimes even hundreds, of jobs in an attempt to regain control.
Sure, rage applying can provide an initial sense of relief or empowerment, and it even feels productive. After all, if you're applying to dozens of jobs, you鈥檙e bound to hear something, right? Unfortunately, this practice often leads to more frustration and disappointment.
I鈥檝e seen people spend all weekend applying for dozens of jobs, only to feel shocked and even more discouraged when it doesn鈥檛 lead to any interviews. The problem is that this approach to applying is an emotional reaction and lacks clear intention and strategy. When you apply to countless jobs out of frustration, you're not fully considering why you want each job or how your skills align, and you鈥檙e probably not tailoring your resum茅 effectively either.
To get better results, use more intentional approaches to showcase your unique skills and qualifications for a role 鈥 think quality over quantity. While it may feel counterintuitive to apply for fewer jobs, taking the time to reflect, plan and refine your job search strategies is more likely to benefit you in the long run.
Alternatives to move you forwards
Instead of rage applying, consider these more strategic and proactive ways to address your career frustration.
1. Join a professional organization
One key benefit of most professional organizations is access to networking and mentoring opportunities. These connections can allow you to meet new people and build relationships with others in your field.
While networking can sometimes feel intimidating and requires time and consistency, it is worth the effort. Effective networking provides you access to a supportive community that may lead to opportunities you might not have found otherwise.聽
Many professional organizations also have proprietary job boards that feature listings not advertised on traditional job sites and that may be more aligned with your industry, skills and career goals.
Being an active member of a professional organization signals to employers that you are committed to your field and engaged in ongoing professional development. Actively participating can also allow you to take on leadership roles, enhancing both your resum茅 and skill set.聽
2. Engage on LinkedIn庐
While you might be initially be drawn to LinkedIn鈥檚 job board, the platform offers many other valuable features. Start by ensuring your profile is complete and up to date. A recent study found that job candidates with a comprehensive LinkedIn庐 profile have a 听听
, you can display your projects, articles, presentations and videos as part of your profile 鈥 media that could attract recruiters鈥 attention and that aren鈥檛 typically highlighted using standard job boards.
Once your profile is up to date, follow companies you鈥檙e interested in and comment on their posts. This will keep you informed about job openings and updates from those companies.
LinkedIn also offers groups related to your industry and interests, as well as events like webinars and workshops. Joining these groups and participating in discussions or events can help you network with others and expand your knowledge.
As you get more comfortable, start posting your own content, such as personal insights, short articles or videos. Doing so will bring visibility to your expertise and thought leadership; and with a strong profile, you might attract the attention of recruiters and potential employers (no rage applying needed).
3. Sharpen your skills
Instead of solely focusing on job hunting during times of frustration, try redirecting your energy toward expanding your skill set. Investing in your professional development has many benefits and can make you more marketable.
Professional development helps you refine in-demand skills, prepares you for future opportunities or career changes, and provides a sense of progress and fulfillment. This not only boosts your confidence but also helps counteract negative feelings like stress and burnout.
Platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer free or low-cost courses on a variety of topics across industries.
You might also consider enrolling in a workshop, taking a boot camp professional development course or pursuing a degree program.
By enhancing your skills and continuing to learn, you prepare for future career prospects as well as gain confidence to tackle workplace challenges with renewed energy and perspective.
4. Priortize your well-being
Above all, make your mental and physical health a top priority when feeling unhappy at work. 聽Tapping into your resilience 鈥 the ability to keep moving forward despite difficulties 鈥 is key for coping with stress.
Simple activities like taking a walk during your lunch break, spending time with friends and family, engaging in a hobby or doing something that brings you joy, even for just a few minutes, can increase self-awareness, improve physical health and foster positive relationships. All of these things help alleviate frustration and build resilience.
In fact, taking a few deep breaths and a quick walk outside might help you see that the problem wasn鈥檛 as bad as you initially thought. And if afterward you鈥檙e still considering quitting, coming back to the decision with a clearer mindset can help you make better choices and get better results.
Instead of rage applying, take control of your career
SM调教所 wants to help you get in the driver鈥檚 seat of your career. Explore the following resources and guides to help you find a fulfilling path forward, minus the rage applying:
- Career Services for Life庐 commitment: Available to UOPX students and graduates, this offering comprises complimentary career coaching, including guidance on how to build a personal brand and write a resum茅.
- Professional Association Guide: In this free, downloadable guide, learn how to find and engage with organizations aligned with your industry.
- LinkedIn Guide: Designed for beginners, this free, downloadable guide provides essential steps for creating a strong profile.
- Free career resources:聽Browse more downloadable guides and templates to help you in your job search.
- :聽Get career insights every week via UOPX鈥檚 LinkedIn newsletter.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica Roper, SM调教所 director of Career Services, is a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience in leadership within higher education. She has honed her expertise in student services and career development and is passionate about helping others discover and refine their skills.
This article has been vetted by SM调教所's editorial advisory committee.聽
Read more about our editorial process.
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