The phenomenon of “ghost jobs” or fake job postings that companies never intend to fill has become a significant challenge in today’s employment landscape. Recent data reveals this practice is more widespread than many job seekers realize, creating substantial obstacles for those actively searching for work.

Current State of Fake Job Postings

Recent surveys conducted by ResumeBuilder.com[1] show that four in ten companies posted fake job listings in 2024, with three in ten currently advertising roles that don’t actually exist. Research indicates that up to 21% of all job postings may be fake, representing a significant portion of the opportunities job seekers encounter online.

Among companies that engage in this practice, 45% post between one to five fake listings, while some organizations post significantly more—with 13% posting 75 or more ghost jobs. These false postings span all employment levels, from entry-level positions to executive roles.

Why Companies Post Ghost Jobs

The motivations behind fake job postings vary, but several key reasons have emerged from industry research:

Creating an Illusion of Growth Many companies use ghost jobs to improve their reputation and create the impression of business expansion. By maintaining active job postings, organizations aim to project growth and stability to competitors, investors, and existing employees.

Managing Employee Expectations Some employers post fake positions to “placate overworked employees” by suggesting that relief is coming. This strategy attempts to maintain morale and productivity among current staff who may be handling excessive workloads.

Building Candidate Databases Companies admit to using ghost jobs to stock a pipeline of ready applicants in case an employee quits. This practice allows organizations to collect resumes and build talent pools for future hiring needs without committing to immediate positions.

Market Research and Testing Ghost postings serve as tools to assess market conditions, gauge salary expectations, and understand the availability of specific skill sets without actual hiring intentions.

Industry Acceptance and Ethical Concerns

Perhaps most concerning is the level of acceptance this practice has gained among hiring professionals. The ResumeBuilder survey found that 43% of hiring managers believe fake job postings are acceptable, with an additional 27% considering them probably acceptable. Seven in ten hiring managers responsible for posting ghost jobs believe the practice is morally acceptable.

A majority of these professionals report that fake job postings have positive impacts on revenue, employee morale, and productivity. This perspective highlights a disconnect between employer benefits and the negative impact on job seekers.

Impact on Job Seekers and the Economy

The prevalence of ghost jobs creates several significant problems:

Wasted Time and Resources: Job seekers invest considerable time crafting applications, preparing for interviews, and following up on positions that will never be filled. This process wastes energy and time, with applicants following up with hiring managers who aren’t actually hiring.

Distorted Labor Market Data: Though labor market data appears healthy, many workers still struggle to find jobs, revealing a gap between statistics and real-life experiences. Fake postings inflate job availability metrics, potentially misleading policymakers and economic analysts.

Erosion of Trust: The practice undermines confidence in the job search process and damages relationships between employers and potential employees. Ghost jobs expose the uncertainty and lack of transparency in the economy.

Legal and Regulatory Uncertainty: Ghost jobs may or may not be legal, depending on jurisdiction. Currently, it appears perfectly legal to waste applicants’ time and use posts to squeeze more productivity out of employees, though this may change as awareness grows.

How to Identify Ghost Jobs

Job seekers can protect themselves by watching for these warning signs:

Vague Job Descriptions: Postings that lack specific responsibilities, qualifications, or company details often indicate ghost jobs. Legitimate positions typically include comprehensive information about role expectations and requirements.

Unrealistic Requirements: Job postings combining entry-level pay with senior-level experience requirements or asking for impossible skill combinations may be fake.

Lack of Response: If you never receive any acknowledgment after applying, or if the posting remains active for months without apparent hiring activity, it may be a ghost job.

Generic Contact Information: Legitimate postings usually include specific contact details or recruiter information. Generic email addresses or missing contact information can be red flags.

Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers: Positions offering exceptional benefits, unrealistic salaries, or requiring minimal qualifications may be designed to attract maximum applications rather than find suitable candidates.

Strategies for Job Seekers

To navigate this challenging environment effectively:

Research Companies Thoroughly: Investigate recent news, press releases, and employee reviews to verify whether organizations are genuinely expanding and hiring.

Use Multiple Job Boards: Diversify your search across various platforms, including company websites, professional networks, and industry-specific job boards.

Network Actively: Personal connections and professional networking often lead to legitimate opportunities that bypass the ghost job problem entirely.

Apply Strategically: Focus on quality applications for positions that appear genuine rather than applying broadly to numerous potentially fake postings.

Track Your Applications: Monitor which companies respond and which don’t. Patterns of non-response may indicate ghost job activity.

Direct Company Contact: When possible, reach out directly to company HR departments or hiring managers to verify position availability before investing significant time in applications.

The Need for Change

Posting jobs with no intention of filling them; especially when done to mislead or unsettle employees strikes most people as problematic and rightfully so. The widespread nature of this practice suggests a need for greater transparency and possibly regulatory intervention.

Industry leaders, job board platforms such as Triad Help Wanted, and policymakers must work together to address this issue. Potential solutions include requiring companies to remove filled positions promptly, implementing verification systems for job postings, and establishing clearer guidelines about misleading employment advertisements.

Adapt & Stay Focused

The rise of ghost jobs represents a significant challenge in today’s employment landscape, affecting both individual job seekers and broader economic understanding. While companies may see short-term benefits from this practice, the long-term consequences include damaged trust, wasted resources, and distorted market data.

Job seekers must adapt by becoming more discerning in their application strategies, conducting thorough research, and focusing on networking and direct company engagement. As awareness of this issue grows, pressure for industry reform and greater transparency in hiring practices will likely increase.

Until systematic changes occur, understanding and identifying ghost jobs remains a crucial skill for anyone navigating today’s job market. By staying informed and employing strategic job search techniques, candidates can better protect their time and energy while pursuing legitimate employment opportunities.

Article Resources:

[1] – https://www.resumebuilder.com/3-in-10-companies-currently-have-fake-job-posting-listed/