In today’s competitive job market, job seekers face an unexpected obstacle ghost job postings. These listings, also known as phantom jobs, are advertisements for roles that companies may have no actual intention of filling. In some cases, the position may have already been filled, frozen, or never existed to begin with.
Research by Michiell L. Malit, VP of Career Development at Resume Writing Lab, sheds light on this deceptive practice. According to a recent Business Insider study, nearly 20% of online job listings qualify as ghost jobs. For job seekers, these misleading posts represent wasted time, misplaced hope, and unnecessary frustration.
So why do companies post these jobs in the first place? And more importantly, how can you spot and avoid them?
Why Companies Publish Ghost Job Listings
1. Building a Candidate Pool
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Some organizations collect resumes to build a talent database for future openings.
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These listings allow companies to gather applications without immediate hiring needs.
2. Demonstrating Growth or Market Presence
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Firms may use job listings to appear active and growing, especially in the eyes of investors or competitors.
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Hiring posts can signal strength, even if no real expansion is happening.
3. Compliance or Internal Policy
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Certain industries require public job postings even if a candidate has already been selected internally.
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Ghost jobs may simply fulfill internal policy or legal requirements.
4. Testing the Talent Market
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Companies might post a job to gauge interest or salary expectations.
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This helps shape future hiring strategies or justify team expansions.
How to Identify Potential Ghost Jobs
1. Check the Posting Date
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If a job has been listed for months without updates, it’s a red flag.
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Positions, especially entry-level or mid-level roles, are often filled within 30–60 days.
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Look for “posted on” or “last updated” dates on job boards.
2. Look for Vague Descriptions
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Watch for listings with:
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Generic responsibilities.
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Minimal or no qualification requirements.
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Phrases like “applications accepted on a rolling basis.”
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These may indicate a placeholder or outdated post.
3. Cross-Check on the Company’s Official Careers Page
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Visit the organization’s website directly.
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If the job doesn’t appear there — or is marked closed — be cautious.
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Third-party platforms often lag in updating listings.
4. Pay Attention to Application Silence
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No acknowledgment or communication after several weeks, especially with follow-ups, might mean:
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The position is inactive.
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You’re engaging with a ghost listing.
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Multiple postings for the same job with no closure also suggest inauthentic intent.
5. Research the Company’s Recent Activity
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Use employer review platforms (e.g., Glassdoor, Indeed) and news sources to check for:
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Recent layoffs.
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Hiring freezes.
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Negative financial news.
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A company reducing staff while posting dozens of “open” jobs is suspicious.
6. Look for Verified Job Posts
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Platforms like LinkedIn offer verification tools that indicate if a job is legitimate.
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Look for badges, confirmations, or posts made by actual company representatives.
7. Reach Out to the Hiring Team
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For roles that strongly align with your skills and interests:
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Consider messaging a recruiter or HR representative.
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Politely inquire about the role’s status.
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A respectful message can clarify whether the listing is active.
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Expert Advice for Navigating the Ghost Job Landscape
Michiell L. Malit advises job seekers to remain proactive:
“Even in a job market full of uncertainty, candidates should continue refining their applications. Every resume must be tailored to the role even if it ends up being a ghost. You never know when a company decides to reactivate a role or uses those applications for other openings.”
This tailored, consistent approach minimizes wasted effort and keeps candidates competitive across authentic listings.
Ghost job postings are a growing concern in today’s hiring landscape, creating confusion and inefficiency for candidates. While they can’t always be avoided, understanding the common signs of phantom listings can help job seekers focus their time on more credible opportunities.
By verifying job details, avoiding outdated posts, and researching employer activity, you can better target real, actionable roles. Stay vigilant, tailor your applications, and don’t hesitate to ask questions when something feels off your time and skills are too valuable to waste.
