The role you’re applying for might be a ‘ghost job’ — here’s what that means and how to avoid them

Bad lovers aren’t the only ones ghosting you.

Some eager candidates have realized they never stood a chance after inadvertently applying to a “ghost job” — roles that have already been filled and, in some cases, don’t even exist, explained NPR.

“Job boards are an easy way to see who’s hiring right now — but sometimes companies post ‘ghost’ listings they don’t plan to fill — or that don’t even exist,” Peter Duris, the CEO, and co-founder of Kickresume, told Metro.

Many companies publish ghost jobs on LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter to meet the company’s hiring recruitment regulations, which require them to post the opening for formality even if they already have a candidate in mind, whether they’re external or internal.

Four in 10 companies posted fake job listings in 2024, and three in 10 are currently advertising for a role that is not real, reported CNBC.

So, although hundreds of prospects have sent in their well-thought-out applications, their hard work usually goes to waste. However, in some cases, recruitment teams will save those files for future openings.

To have a plethora of candidates to choose from, some recruiting teams will post a job opening that doesn’t exist to have options when a real job needs to be filled.

“Companies should be mindful of this practice, as posting fake jobs can make job seekers lose trust in them,” Duris added.

These tactics can give candidates false hope of job opportunities, especially when they were never considered from the beginning. Meanwhile, another tactic is used against employees to strike fear in them.

“In what is probably the worst-case scenario, job posts are used to make overworked employees believe help is coming or to pressure them into working harder out of fear of being replaced,” Duris said.

People should be aware of how to distinguish a ghost job posting from a real job posting so they can avoid the disappointment and anticipation of hearing back from a job that never existed.

The warning signs you applied for a ‘ghost job’

• Job opening was posted over 30 days ago
• There is no time stamp on the original post
• Reposted role
• A vague job description that doesn’t include salary or location
• Broad salary range

“If the listing is older than a month, it is a good sign that the role has already been filled. Most job boards allow you to filter for recent postings to avoid these. Also, if you see the same job reposted often, there might be an issue with the company or the role,” Duris revealed.

The career expert added that the hiring manager may have forgotten to remove the job posting or intentionally left it up, but if you don’t see the role on the company’s website, that is a red flag.

“If you’re unsure about a listing, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the company directly by email or phone to ask if the role is still open. Talking to someone at the company can help you find out how serious they are about hiring right now.”