THE RISE OF GHOST JOBS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

In an era marked by the Great Resignation and a rapidly changing labor market, job seekers are finding it increasingly difficult to secure positions. Amidst layoffs and budget cuts, the once-abundant job vacancies have become scarcer. Yet, job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed are still advertising a plethora of open positions, leaving candidates wondering: why are so many job listings seemingly unfilled? The answer lies in the rise of "ghost jobs"—job postings that were never meant to be filled.

Let us explain. 

Ghost Jobs 101

Ghost jobs are positions advertised by companies without any genuine intent to hire. These listings can linger online for months, often labeled as "Posted 30+ days ago," misleading job seekers into believing that the roles are still actively being filled. This phenomenon is not new, but the digital age has exacerbated the issue, making it a significant obstacle for candidates.

Why Do Companies Post Ghost Jobs?

To build a talent pool: Many companies keep job listings open indefinitely to build a reservoir of potential candidates. This practice ensures that they have a ready pool of applicants in case of future turnover, but it also leads to a backlog of applications that never get a response.

To shape perception: Ghost jobs can be a strategic move to mold the company's image. Over 40% of hiring managers admit to listing jobs to create an impression of growth and prosperity. These postings can also be used to motivate 

current employees or placate overworked staff by giving the illusion that help is on the way. Harsh, we know.

To promote themselves: At job fairs and online, companies often use job postings as promotional tools. These listings attract resumes en masse, providing companies with a wealth of data and potential leads, even if no positions are actively being filled.

What This Means for Job Seekers:

A waste of time and effort: Job seekers invest significant time and effort into each application. Researching companies, personalizing resumes, and writing cover letters can take hours. When these efforts are directed at ghost jobs, it leads to frustration and burnout.

False hope: Seeing a desirable job posting can give candidates false hope. When weeks go by without any feedback, the disappointment can be disheartening, leading to a decrease in morale and confidence.

Skewed market perception: The prevalence of ghost jobs can distort the job market's perceived health. Job seekers might believe there are more opportunities than there actually are, leading to misguided job search strategies.

Despite the many challenges posed by ghost jobs, job seekers can navigate the market by being strategic and keeping realistic expectations. Awareness is the first step: knowing that not every job posting is genuine can help you focus your efforts on the opportunities that matter.

Pro tips:

Apply to positions that have been posted recently and avoid those that seem outdated. We have to keep it real here: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!

Network, network, network. If you’re eyeing a specific company, you can even reach out to current or former employees to learn more.

Rejections and ghost jobs can be disheartening, but persistence pays off. Keep honing your skills and expanding your network, and you can’t lose.