The Rise of Ghost Jobs: How Fake Listings Are Haunting Today’s Job Market
- Athul Satheesh
- May 9
- 5 min read
In today’s competitive employment landscape, job seekers are encountering an eerie and frustrating phenomenon: ghost jobs. These are not phishing scams or spammy solicitations, but legitimate-looking job postings by real companies—with one major catch. The positions don’t actually exist.
Despite investing hours tailoring resumes and preparing cover letters, applicants often find themselves ghosted—receiving no acknowledgment, interview request, or response. This isn’t just a matter of bad luck or tough competition. It’s often a deliberate tactic.This article explores what ghost jobs are, why companies post them, how to spot them, and what lawmakers and professionals are doing to combat this growing issue.
What Are Ghost Jobs?
Ghost jobs are job postings that companies never intend to fill. Unlike job scams, which attempt to extract money or personal information from applicants, ghost jobs are real listings with hidden motives. These listings appear on legitimate job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, and company websites, often written in professional language and accompanied by a seamless application process.
The motivation? It varies—from projecting growth to stockholders and collecting resumes, to deterring employee unionization and inflating a company’s perceived expansion.
A Troubling Trend in a Competitive Market
A study by Clarify Capital found that nearly 20% of hiring managers admitted to leaving job listings active despite having no intention to hire. Even more alarmingly, some estimates suggest the real figure may be far higher.
Meanwhile, job seekers—even Ivy League graduates and top performers—report sending out hundreds of applications without hearing back. Many assume the issue lies with them. In truth, it might be the job listing itself that’s the problem.
Why Companies Post Ghost Jobs
There are several reasons why businesses may post jobs they don't plan to fill:
Illusion of Growth: Companies may want to appear as if they're expanding. This can improve investor confidence, drive up stock prices, and attract business partnerships.
Resume Farming: Recruiters collect resumes to build a database for future hiring needs. This may seem proactive, but it creates false hope for job seekers.
Psychological Pressure on Employees: Open listings signal to current staff that they are replaceable. It’s a subtle form of control—intended to reduce dissent or demands for higher wages.
Market Benchmarking: Companies use these listings to gauge candidate expectations, qualifications, and salary demands—without making any actual hires.
Compliance or HR Metrics: Some corporations keep job postings active to comply with diversity or hiring metrics, especially in large organizations where quotas may matter.
Red Flags: How to Spot a Ghost Job
Being able to identify ghost jobs can save you emotional energy and wasted effort. Here are some key warning signs:
Identical Listings: Reappearing FrequentlyIf you see the same job posted repeatedly over several months, that’s a red flag.
Vague Job Descriptions: Watch for postings with unclear responsibilities, generic role titles, and no information about the team, department, or direct manager.
No Hiring Activity on LinkedIn: If the company shows no new hires or no interaction with job posts (likes, shares, comments), it may be a ghost listing.
“Evergreen” Postings: Some companies intentionally leave roles open as placeholders. If it’s been up for 60+ days with no updates, be cautious.
Lack of Engagement: No response after applying—even an automated one—might indicate that the role isn’t actively being reviewed.
Expert Opinions on Ghost Jobs
Several HR professionals and economists have weighed in on this unsettling tactic:
“Ghost jobs give the illusion of opportunity while exploiting the applicant’s time and emotional investment,” says Liz Ryan, founder of Human Workplace and former Fortune 500 HR Senior VP.
“It’s a deception that undermines trust in the labor market,” notes Dr. Paul Krugman, economist and Nobel Prize winner, in a panel on labor ethics.
“This trend has increased as companies try to hedge uncertainty in the market by building a ‘just-in-case’ talent pipeline,” says Josh Bersin, global industry analyst.
Legal Response: New Jersey Takes Action
In 2024, New Jersey introduced a bill that seeks to fine companies that post ghost jobs—an unprecedented legislative move.
Key provisions of the proposed bill include:
Mandatory removal of filled or inactive listings within 30 days.
Fines of up to $1,000 per violation.
Requirements for companies to notify applicants if a job is no longer open.
While the bill is still in committee, it reflects growing concern about corporate transparency in the job market.
The Broader Economic Impact
Ghost jobs don’t just hurt individual applicants—they distort the entire job market.
Job Market Inflation: They artificially inflate job availability data, misleading economists and policymakers about the true health of the labor market.
Investment Decisions: By creating the illusion of hiring, companies may mislead shareholders and manipulate stock prices—raising serious concerns about securities fraud.
Job Seeker Fatigue: Chronic job ghosting leads to burnout, depression, and reduced productivity among job seekers, worsening unemployment dynamics.
Community-Led Solutions
In response to the ghost job epidemic, job seekers have taken matters into their own hands:
Reddit: SpreadsheetsCommunities like r/recruitinghell have compiled open-source spreadsheets listing known ghost-job-prone companies.
Glassdoor Reviews: Anonymous employee reviews often provide clues about shady hiring practices.
LinkedIn Crowdsourcing: Some professionals publicly share ghost job experiences, creating a collective awareness network.
Conclusion: The Need for Transparency
The job market should be a space of opportunity—not manipulation. Ghost jobs erode trust, waste resources, and contribute to job search fatigue. While not illegal in most areas, the ethical implications are deeply concerning.
As awareness grows and legislation evolves, job seekers must stay informed, vigilant, and empowered. Whether you're a fresh graduate or seasoned professional, recognizing the signs of ghost jobs can save you time, energy, and unnecessary discouragement.
Final Tip:Before applying, always check the company’s recent hires, news updates, and employee testimonials. When in doubt, reach out directly via LinkedIn to ask if the position is active. A little extra research can protect you from haunting disappointment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a ghost job?
A ghost job is a job posting by a real company for a position they have no intent to fill.
How are ghost jobs different from scams?
Scams aim to steal personal information or money. Ghost jobs don’t harm directly but waste applicants’ time and mislead the market.
Why would a company do this?
Common reasons include resume collection, investor deception, and controlling existing employees.
How can I tell if a job is a ghost job?
Look for repeated postings, vague descriptions, or lack of company engagement.
Is this practice illegal?
Not yet in most jurisdictions, but laws are emerging—like New Jersey’s proposed bill.
Should I apply to a job that might be a ghost listing?
You can, but diversify your strategy. Apply only if the company shows genuine signs of hiring.
Do startups do this more than big companies?
Not necessarily. Ghost jobs are found across startups and large enterprises alike.
Can ghost jobs be reported?
Yes. You can flag them on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, and post warnings on Reddit or Glassdoor.
What’s the best defense?
Be selective, research the company, connect with current employees, and track your applications to identify patterns.
Will this trend continue?
Without legal oversight or economic consequences, the practice may persist. However, growing awareness is prompting change.
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