Online communication has created a lazy, “cut and paste” approach to job applications, where candidates make volume email applications literally spammed to multiple companies, according to research by Lighthouse PR.

It found that more than 75% of direct applications it received during the last three months contained basic errors including spelling and grammatical mistakes, formatting blunders and, in the worst case applications addressed to competitors.

Nearly half of applicants made multiple identical email applications, with the most prolific applicant submitting their CV nine times in a period of 13 days for the same role.

Louise Parkes, managing director of Lighthouse PR, says: “Spam won’t get you a job, particularly if it’s error-ridden. Although we live and work in an era of digital communications, if you really want to get an employer’s attention send a neatly typed – and personalised - letter enclosing your CV.”

Among the most bizarre applications received by Lighthouse PR are a podcast, soft porn photos of the applicant that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a lads’ magazine, and teaser campaigns where the candidate sent items of underwear over the course of a week.