What Are Ghost Jobs? How to Spot and Avoid These Spooky Listings
If you’re actively job searching, you might have come across the term “ghost jobs.” These aren’t jobs meant for the undead. In fact, they’re fake jobs intentionally posted by recruiters on platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn.
According to a 2024 survey by ResumeBuilder.com, 3 in 10 companies actively had fake job listings posted, and 40% admitted to posting a fake job listing that year. Even more concerning, 7 out of 10 hiring managers thought posting ghost jobs was morally acceptable.
While ghost job listings may help recruiters increase their numbers and build a candidate pipeline, they can have a devastating impact on job seekers. Applying for ghost jobs wastes precious time that could be better spent applying for paying roles, especially when you don’t have a current income stream.
Learn more about ghost jobs, why companies post them and how you can avoid them in your job search.
What Are Ghost Jobs, and Why Do Companies Post Them?
A ghost job is a listing for a role that doesn’t actually exist. Companies often post these jobs online even though they don’t intend to fill them. Sometimes, the original job posting was legitimate, but the hiring manager or recruiter forgot to remove the listing once the position had been filled.
Regardless, ghost jobs can be incredibly demoralizing to job seekers who feel like they’re applying for hundreds of roles without receiving any response from the hiring manager. So, why are ghost jobs even a thing?
The answer is complicated. Companies may post ghost job listings for various reasons, like to:
- Build a pool of qualified job applicants to consider for future roles.
- Have a pipeline of candidates in case of employee turnover.
- Give the impression the business is growing.
- Make employees think a new hire will alleviate their workload.
- Suggest they’re always on the lookout for qualified applicants.
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The Problem With Ghost Jobs
Companies that post ghost jobs might think there’s no harm in listing a position without intending to hire anyone, but that’s untrue for several reasons.
Ghost jobs skew employment statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks the number of unemployed people per job opening, and the presence of ghost jobs inflates these numbers, masking the reality of the job market.
Non-existent job listings can also be discouraging to people searching for employment. Being laid off or unemployed is incredibly stressful, and job seekers often apply to hundreds of positions every week. If even a quarter of those applications are for ghost jobs, they can feel like they’re wasting their time. And they very well could be, since applying for ghost jobs takes time away from applying for legitimate opportunities.
Finally, companies that consistently post ghost job listings can get a reputation that may prevent them from attracting quality candidates when they have a real opening. Job seekers are less likely to spend time on an application for a role at a company that has a history of posting ghost jobs. As a result, the company will get a weaker pool of applicants, and job seekers could miss out on their dream roles.
How to Recognize (And Avoid) a Ghost Job Listing
If you’re searching for a job, you want to ensure you’re spending your time wisely to increase your chances of being hired. Applying for ghost jobs can waste your time and increase your frustration levels. Luckily, there are several ways to recognize a ghost job so you can avoid applying for them.
Check the Company Website
Before applying for a job through a platform like LinkedIn or Indeed, head to the hiring company’s website to see if the listing is posted there. If it’s not, the recruiter may have forgotten to remove an old listing, or it could be a ghost job. Companies are more likely to have up-to-date job postings on their websites than on third-party job sites.
Look at the Job Posting Date
Check the date that the job was posted. If there’s no date listed or the time stamp is a month or more old, it’s less likely to be a real job. A month after a job was initially posted, the company has likely selected a handful of potential candidates and is moving on to the interview stage.
However, there are legitimate reasons for a job to have an older posting date. Management positions often stay open for longer because there are fewer qualified applicants for the company to consider. Some jobs, such as nursing, are experiencing shortages, while others, like retail or food service, hire on a rolling basis. In these cases, the listings may remain active indefinitely.
Be Careful of Vague Job Descriptions
A vague or unclear job description is a major red flag that a job listing is a ghost job. Companies don’t want to invest much time in job descriptions for roles that don’t exist, so the description is often generic. Real job listings will include detailed information about the role’s responsibilities to ensure applicants are properly qualified. Vague job descriptions are frequently accompanied by generic job titles rather than specific ones.
Contact the Recruiter Directly
If you’re unsure whether a job posting is genuine or a ghost job, consider contacting the recruiter if their contact information is provided. Reaching out to the recruiter or hiring manager directly also shows your interest in the position and can help you stand out from other applicants.
When you contact them, explain that you’re interested in the role but would like more information. Ask about the specific job responsibilities to determine if you would be a good fit. And if they can’t answer your questions, you can assume it’s a ghost job and move on.
Ghost jobs might be on the rise, but that doesn’t mean they have to haunt your job search. By identifying potential fake job listings before you put the time and effort into your application, you can focus your time on real job applications that will hopefully lead to an interview and a genuine job offer.
Catherine Hiles is a Certified Financial Education Instructor and freelance writer specializing in personal finance and home improvement. She lives in Ohio with her husband, two children and two energetic dogs.
