Despite the excitement of finding the perfect position and submitting your application, sometimes the silence that follows can be deafening. This could be a sign that you’ve encountered a “ghost job.”

What Are Ghost Jobs?

Job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed advertise open positions. Yet despite an influx of highly qualified candidates, some jobs remain open. These can be ‘ghost jobs,’ and they’re becoming an increasingly common—and problematic—obstacle for job seekers. Ghost jobs are basically job openings that exist only on paper. They simply aren’t real opportunities and fall into two categories:

1. Unintentional Ghost Jobs: These are job postings that were once real open positions but remain active on job boards and company websites, usually due to oversight.
2. Intentional Ghost Jobs: These are jobs advertised but remain vacant for extended periods, often with no real intention of hiring immediately.

Why Do Ghost Jobs Exist?

Versions of ghost jobs have existed for decades. For example, job fairs have a reputation for attracting businesses that set up booths simply to serve as promotional tools or to collect resumes. You would think that the digital era would have improved the issue of ghost jobs, but unfortunately, the opposite is true.

According to Geoffrey Scott, senior content manager and hiring manager at Resume Genius, there are 1.7M potential ghost job openings in the US on LinkedIn alone. So why do they exist?

There are several reasons ghost jobs exist:

1. Market Research: Some companies post ghost jobs to gauge the talent pool. This is especially true in industries undergoing rapid changes. By seeing how many qualified candidates apply, a company can assess whether it’s the right time to launch a new team or department.
2. Pipeline Building: One primary reason for ghost jobs is the strategic need to build a talent pipeline. Companies often keep job postings active to attract and identify potential candidates for future opportunities. While this tactic can be beneficial for maintaining a pool of talent, it can backfire if overused or miscommunicated.
3. Brand Visibility: Maintaining an active presence on job boards can enhance a company’s visibility and brand perception.
4. Internal Policies: Sometimes, HR departments are required to post jobs externally even if there’s already an internal candidate lined up. This practice can make it seem like there are more opportunities available than there actually are.
5. Budget Constraints and Internal Delays: Ghost jobs can result from budget constraints or delays in internal approvals. Companies may post jobs to build a talent pipeline but then put hiring on hold due to economic downturns or budget constraints. Similarly, delays in decision-making processes can keep a job posting open long after the need for the role has changed.
6. Internal Role Changes: Job roles may change or be eliminated after a posting, leading to a ghost job.
7. Overly Optimistic Hiring Plans: Companies may overestimate their hiring needs, leading to excessive job postings.
8. Oversight: Most of the time, it’s simply a result of miscommunication between HR and hiring managers, causing job postings to remain active even after a position is filled.

How to Spot Ghost Jobs

According to a survey by Jobvite, nearly 27% of job seekers reported applying to jobs that turned out to be ghost jobs. In another study by CareerBuilder, 42% of HR managers admitted to keeping job postings up even when they were not actively hiring. These numbers suggest that ghost jobs are a significant part of the job market. Knowing how to spot them can save you time and effort during your job search.

Keep in mind that for each sign of a ghost job, there may be a real job still available. So, if you do spot your dream job, do not hesitate to apply. Just know that the chances of it being a ghost job are much higher.

1. The Job Has Been Open for a Long Time: According to research, it takes approximately 44 days for companies to fill an open position. Positions listed for several months without updates are strong candidates for ghost jobs. Typically, if a job has been up for more than 90 days, it might not be active.
2. Vague Job Description or None at All: Be cautious of job descriptions that are overly vague or generic. Real job openings tend to have detailed requirements and responsibilities, often highlighting a long list of perks to entice candidates to apply.
3. No Apparent Activity: If you apply and don’t receive any acknowledgment or follow-up for weeks, it could be a ghost job. Real companies usually have an auto-response system or initial screening within a couple of weeks.
4. Repetitive Listings: If you see the same job posted multiple times over a short period, it may indicate that the company is not actively looking to fill the role or is desperate. Neither is a good sign.
5. No Mention or Very Old Mention of the Job on Social Media: Most companies post about open positions on social media. Search and see if or when the company posted about the open position. This will give you insight into the validity of the jobs.

What Can You Do to Avoid Ghost Jobs?

1. Check the Date: Like with groceries, check the date. If it is over 90 days old, you may have hit a ghost job. Prioritize jobs posted within the last 30 days. These are more likely to be actively recruiting and less likely to be ghost jobs.
2. Network: Connect with current or former employees of the company to get insider information about the job posting. Sometimes, a simple LinkedIn message to the hiring manager can provide valuable insights.
3. Check the Company Website: An easy way to check if a role you find on a job board is real is by looking for the position on the company website. Companies usually have their open positions listed on their website. You may find that the role you want is no longer open.
4. Call the Company: This is a great opportunity to investigate if a position is real and to get some additional information on what the employer is looking for. If you leave a voicemail, follow up with a polite email. This can show your interest and help you gauge the activity level of the job posting.
5. Has the Company Recently Announced a Round o

How To Avoid Ghost Jobs While Job Hunting (neeljym.com)

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