"I'm Interested" Is Not a Job Application

Every time I scroll through LinkedIn, I see the same thing: job postings flooded with comments that simply say "I'm interested" or "Following." And every time, I cringe a little.

As someone who's been on both sides of the hiring table, I can tell you with certainty—this approach almost never works. Yet developers, especially those new to the job market, continue to fall into this trap daily, thinking they're making progress in their job search when they're really just shouting into the void.

The Futility of "I'm Interested"

When you comment "I'm interested" on a job posting, what exactly do you think happens next? Do you imagine recruiters diligently combing through hundreds of comments, noting down each eager candidate for follow-up? The reality couldn't be further from this fantasy.

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for candidates who demonstrate initiative, who understand professional norms, and who can navigate the basic steps of a job application process. Commenting "interested" signals the opposite—it suggests you either don't understand how hiring works or aren't willing to put in the effort required.

Let me paint a picture of what actually happens behind the scenes. Most corporate recruiters are juggling dozens of open positions simultaneously. They're using applicant tracking systems, keyword searches, and structured workflows to manage hundreds of applicants. A comment on LinkedIn exists completely outside of this ecosystem—it's simply not part of their established process.

Even for smaller companies without formal systems, the hiring manager likely has a specific way they want to receive applications, whether that's through email or a dedicated application form. By commenting "interested," you're essentially asking them to do extra work to accommodate your non-standard approach.

The Psychology Behind the "Interested" Comment

Why do people keep doing this despite its ineffectiveness? I think there are a few psychological factors at play:

1. The Illusion of Action: Commenting feels like you're doing something about your job search. It's quick, easy, and gives you that small dopamine hit of engagement.

2. Fear of Rejection: Submitting a proper application means potentially facing explicit rejection. Commenting "interested" keeps things vague enough that you're never technically rejected.

3. Misunderstanding of Digital Social Norms: Many people, especially those new to professional networking platforms, treat LinkedIn like other social media where casual engagement is the norm.

4. Following the Crowd: When you see dozens of other comments saying "interested," it creates social proof that this must be an acceptable approach.

The problem is, none of these reasons align with how professional hiring actually works.

The Three Types of Job Posters on LinkedIn

Not all job posts are created equal. In fact, I've noticed there are primarily three types of accounts that post jobs that generate these "I'm interested" comments:

1. Scammers

These posts are designed to collect personal information, sell courses or training programs, or worse. They often promise unrealistic salaries, vague job descriptions, or suspicious application processes. When you engage with these posts, you're potentially exposing yourself to scams.

What these scams typically look like:

• Posts promising "immediate hiring" for vague positions like "remote developer" with minimal details

• Job descriptions citing unusually high salaries for entry-level positions

• Posters who request that you comment "interested" to receive application details via DM

• Profiles with minimal professional history but numerous job posts

A real-life example I encountered: A post claiming to hire 50 remote junior developers with "no experience needed" at $80K+ salaries. The "application process" involved commenting "interested" and then being directed to purchase a $500 "job readiness" course that would "guarantee" employment. Pure scam.

2. Engagement Farmers

These accounts aren't actually hiring—they're farming engagement to boost their LinkedIn algorithm presence. More comments mean more visibility, which translates to more followers or potential clients for whatever they're actually selling. Your "interested" comment is just free advertising for them.

How to spot engagement farmers:

• They post suspiciously frequent "we're hiring" updates

• The same poster has been "urgently hiring" for the same positions for months

• Their profile indicates they're not actually in a hiring position at the company

• They respond to comments with vague encouragement rather than specific next steps

• They often have other content obviously aimed at building their personal brand

I remember seeing a "LinkedIn influencer" posting weekly about hiring dozens of developers for his "fast-growing startup." When I checked his company's website, it was just him offering career coaching services. The job posts were entirely fictional—designed solely to build his following.

3. Genuine Companies Frustrated with Traditional Recruiting

Some legitimate companies, often smaller businesses or startups, post directly on LinkedIn because they're tired of expensive recruiters or ineffective job boards. These are real opportunities—but they still expect you to apply properly, not just comment.

What these legitimate posts usually include:

• Clear company identification and specific role details

• Explicit instructions on how to apply (usually not through comments)

• Posts from actual hiring managers or company leaders with verifiable positions

• Responses to questions that provide substantial information rather than vague encouragement

I recently worked with a startup founder who posted directly about a developer opening. He was genuinely surprised when people just commented "interested" instead of following his clearly stated application instructions. None of those commenters were considered for the role.

The Real Cost to Your Professional Reputation

When you repeatedly comment "I'm interested" on job posts, you're not just wasting time—you're potentially damaging your professional reputation. Here's how:

• You appear passive rather than proactive. Employers want candidates who take initiative. By taking the easiest possible action, you signal that you might approach work the same way—doing the minimum rather than what's most effective.

• You look uninformed about professional norms. Anyone familiar with the industry knows this isn't how hiring works. This raises questions about whether you lack other important professional knowledge.

• Your LinkedIn activity becomes a red flag. Imagine a recruiter checking your profile and seeing dozens of these comments—what impression does that create? LinkedIn activity is increasingly part of the informal background check process.

• You become a target for more scams. The more desperate you appear, the more likely you are to attract predatory offers. Scammers specifically target those who seem eager but uninformed.

• You undermine your personal brand. In tech especially, personal branding matters. These comments position you as someone who doesn't understand the industry they're trying to enter.

I once had a hiring manager tell me they specifically checked candidates' LinkedIn activity before interviews. One promising candidate was removed from consideration after they found pages of "interested" comments with no substantive engagement elsewhere. "If this is how they approach job hunting," the manager said, "I'm concerned about how they'll approach complex technical challenges."

The Opportunity Cost of Low-Effort Applications

Beyond the direct reputation damage, there's a significant opportunity cost to this approach. Every minute spent commenting "interested" on dubious job posts is time not spent on activities that actually advance your career:

• Building projects that showcase your skills

• Contributing to open source to demonstrate collaboration abilities

• Writing technical articles to establish expertise

• Networking meaningfully with industry professionals

• Researching companies that would be a good fit

• Customizing applications for positions you're truly qualified for

This opportunity cost compounds over time. While you're collecting "interested" comments, others are building portfolios and relationships that make them standout candidates.

How to Identify Real Opportunities Worth Your Time

Instead of blindly commenting on every job post you see, develop a system to filter out the noise and focus on legitimate opportunities:

Red Flags to Watch For

• Posts with no company name or with companies that don't have legitimate websites. Do a quick Google search—legitimate companies have digital footprints.

• Extremely vague job descriptions with few specific requirements. Real jobs have specific needs and expectations.

• Posts from profiles with limited LinkedIn history or suspicious activity. Check the poster's profile—how long have they been on LinkedIn? Does their employment history make sense?

• Application instructions that only ask for comments rather than proper applications. Legitimate employers have structured application processes.

• Jobs that sound too good to be true. Entry-level positions paying senior-level salaries, minimal work requirements with maximum benefits, or "guaranteed" placements are usually scams.

• Unrealistic urgency. Claims of "must fill immediately" or "hiring 50 positions this week" often indicate scams or engagement farming.

• Inconsistent details. If the post mentions different company names or keeps changing requirements, that's a major warning sign.

I once saw a post claiming to be from a "top tech company" offering remote junior developer positions at $120K. The post had no company name, the poster's profile showed they worked at an unrelated business, and the only "application" method was to comment. Classic red flags all around.

Signs of Legitimate Opportunities

• Clear company identification and role description. The post explicitly states who's hiring and for what specific position.

• Specific qualification requirements and responsibilities. The more detailed the better—vague descriptions indicate potential scams.

• A defined application process. Whether it's a link to the company website, an email address, or an ATS—there should be clear next steps beyond commenting.

• Posts from established hiring managers, team leads, or verified recruiters. Check their profiles to confirm their positions.

• Consistent posting history. Legitimate recruiters and hiring managers tend to have professional posting patterns.

• Responses that address specific questions. If the poster engages meaningfully with questions rather than giving generic responses, that's a good sign.

A genuine post I recently saw came from an engineering manager at a verified company. It included specific technical requirements, salary range, location options, and a direct link to their application system. When people asked questions in comments, the manager provided thoughtful, detailed responses.

The Smart Way to Apply

If you've identified a legitimate opportunity, here's how to make your application stand out:

1. Use the official application channel

Whether it's the company website, an ATS, or an email address—follow the instructions. This sounds obvious, but it's surprising how many candidates skip this step. Hiring teams create specific application processes for a reason—it helps them organize and evaluate candidates efficiently.

When you bypass this process by only commenting or trying to connect directly before applying, you're essentially saying, "I don't think your process applies to me." That's rarely the impression you want to make.

2. Customize your application

Tailor your resume to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to this specific role. This doesn't mean fabricating experience, but rather emphasizing the parts of your background that best align with the job requirements.

For developers, this might mean:

• Highlighting projects that used the same tech stack the company uses

• Emphasizing specific technical challenges you've overcome that relate to their business

• Adjusting your summary statement to align with the company's needs and culture

I remember applying for a role that emphasized performance optimization. Rather than using my standard resume, I reworked it to highlight three projects where I had significantly improved application performance. This direct alignment with their needs helped me stand out and secure an interview.

3. Connect directly, but smartly

If appropriate, send a brief, value-focused message to the poster—but only after you've applied through the proper channels:

Copy

"Hi [Name], I noticed your opening for [Position] at [Company]. With my background in [relevant skill/experience], I believe I could contribute value to your team. I've applied through your website and would appreciate any insights about the role or team that might not be in the job description. Thank you for your time!"

Note the key elements here:

• Mentioning that you've already applied properly

• Keeping it brief and respectful of their time

• Highlighting specific relevant experience

• Asking for information rather than favors

• Expressing gratitude

This approach demonstrates professionalism and initiative without being pushy or entitled.

4. Showcase your work

Include links to relevant projects, your GitHub repository, or portfolio that demonstrates your capabilities. For developers especially, showing is always more powerful than telling.

Consider creating a dedicated landing page for your job applications that highlights:

• Key projects with screenshots and technical descriptions

• Code samples that demonstrate your coding style and quality

• Technical blog posts that show your ability to communicate complex concepts

• Testimonials from previous colleagues or clients

One developer I know created a simple GitHub repository specifically tailored to each application, implementing a small project that demonstrated his understanding of the company's technical challenges. This extra effort resulted in a significantly higher response rate.

5. Follow up appropriately

If you don't hear back within 7-10 days, a polite follow-up is acceptable—but don't become a nuisance. A single follow-up demonstrates interest; multiple messages signal desperation or poor professional boundaries.

A good follow-up:

• References your initial application (date, position)

• Briefly reiterates your interest and key qualifications

• Adds any new relevant information (if applicable)

• Maintains a positive, professional tone

• Ends with a clear but non-demanding call to action

Building a Professional Presence That Attracts Opportunities

The strongest job seekers don't just react to postings—they build a presence that attracts opportunities:

Contribute meaningfully to discussions

Instead of dropping "interested" comments, engage substantively with content in your field:

• Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your technical understanding

• Share relevant experiences that add value to the conversation

• Offer helpful resources or solutions to problems others are discussing

• Respectfully present alternative perspectives when appropriate

Quality engagement positions you as a thoughtful professional rather than a desperate job seeker.

Share your knowledge and projects

Establish yourself as a contributor to the community:

• Document interesting technical challenges you've solved

• Create tutorials or guides for technologies you know well

• Open-source useful tools or components you've built

• Share learnings from books, courses, or conferences you've experienced

One junior developer I mentored was struggling to find opportunities until he started documenting his learning journey. His weekly posts about building progressively complex projects caught the attention of several hiring managers who reached out directly.

Build real connections

Focus on developing authentic professional relationships:

• Attend industry meetups or virtual events

• Participate in technical communities (Discord servers, Reddit forums, Stack Overflow)

• Offer help to others without immediate expectations

• Follow up with people you meet in professional contexts

Meaningful connections often lead to referrals, which remain the most effective way to secure interviews. According to various studies, referred candidates are 4-10 times more likely to be hired than non-referred candidates.

Focus on demonstrating value

Instead of asking for opportunities, show why you'd be valuable:

• Solve real problems publicly (bug fixes, feature implementations)

• Optimize or improve existing tools

• Create content that helps others in your field

• Participate in hackathons or coding challenges

Actions speak louder than words—and much louder than "interested" comments.

The Hiring Process from the Other Side

To understand why "interested" comments don't work, it helps to understand how hiring actually happens from the employer's perspective:

How Recruiters Actually Find Candidates

Most recruiters use a combination of:

• Applicant tracking systems (ATS) to manage formal applications

• Boolean searches on LinkedIn to find qualified candidates

• Referrals from current employees

• Sourcing tools that scan for specific skills and experiences

• Talent pipelines built over time

Notice that "checking comments on LinkedIn posts" isn't on this list. It's simply not part of the professional recruiting workflow.

What Happens When Employers Receive Applications

When your application arrives, it typically goes through several stages:

1. Initial screening (often automated) for basic qualifications

2. Review by a recruiter or HR professional

3. Technical assessment or portfolio review

4. Hiring manager review

5. Interview process

6. Decision and offer

Each stage involves specific systems and processes. Commenting "interested" bypasses this entire structure, making it almost impossible for you to enter the formal consideration process.

What Employers Actually Look For

Beyond technical skills, employers assess:

• Communication abilities: How clearly can you express technical concepts?

• Problem-solving approach: How do you tackle challenges?

• Initiative and proactivity: Do you identify and solve problems without being told?

• Cultural fit: Would you work well with the existing team?

• Growth potential: Can you adapt and learn as needs change?

Your application approach itself is often the first test of these qualities. Commenting "interested" fails this test by demonstrating poor communication strategy and lack of initiative.

Special Advice for Career Changers and New Graduates

Those new to the tech industry or fresh out of education face unique challenges:

For Career Changers:

• Leverage transferable skills: Explicitly connect your previous experience to tech roles

• Demonstrate commitment to learning: Showcase completed courses, certifications, and self-directed projects

• Emphasize problem-solving abilities: Technical skills can be taught, but problem-solving aptitude is valuable from day one

• Network intentionally: Connect with others who have made similar transitions

• Consider contributing to open source: It's a concrete way to build a technical portfolio regardless of work history

For New Graduates:

• Highlight academic projects: Frame them in terms of real-world applications

• Emphasize internships or part-time roles: Even brief professional experience matters

• Show continuous learning: Demonstrate that your education didn't stop at graduation

• Participate in hackathons or coding competitions: These provide both portfolio material and networking opportunities

• Consider contributing to university alumni networks: These connections can be invaluable for early career opportunities

For both groups, the key is demonstrating seriousness and commitment through actions, not just expressions of interest.

When Times Are Tough: Job Searching During Economic Downturns

During challenging economic periods, the competition for roles intensifies. This makes proper application strategies even more critical:

• Be even more selective: Focus your energy on opportunities that truly match your skills and interests

• Double down on networking: When formal applications increase, personal connections become even more valuable

• Consider adjacent roles: Sometimes a slightly different position can be a foot in the door

• Enhance your specialization: Develop deeper expertise in high-demand niches

• Maintain consistent activity: Job searching during downturns often takes longer—pace yourself for a marathon, not a sprint

During the last tech downturn, I noticed that candidates who maintained consistent, professional engagement fared better than those who resorted to desperate tactics like mass-commenting on job posts.

Final Thoughts

The job market can be overwhelming, especially for newcomers. It's tempting to take shortcuts like commenting "I'm interested" because it feels like you're doing something. But in reality, you're spinning your wheels.

Effective job searching isn't about quantity—it's about quality. It's about being strategic, professional, and demonstrating from the very first interaction that you understand how to navigate professional environments.

Job hunting is itself a job. It requires research, strategy, customization, and follow-through. Each application is a mini-project that deserves proper attention if you want meaningful results.

So the next time you see a job posting that catches your eye, resist the urge to comment "interested." Instead, take the time to research the company, customize your application, and reach out in a way that showcases your value. Your future self will thank you for it.

Remember: "I'm interested" is not a job application—it's a missed opportunity.