"Ghost Jobs" Could Be Why Your Job Applications Are Not Getting Responses

      I’m quite a lazy LinkedIn user. To be honest, I don't log in very often, I've never shared a post, and I mainly use it to check up on former co-workers to see where they are employed now. So, you can imagine my astonishment when I log in and find a huge influx of notifications. I receive alerts about recently posted jobs in my field (which I don’t recall signing up for) and direct messages from random recruiters consistently. If I didn’t know better, I might question why so many people seem to be struggling to find jobs these days.

      Spend just five minutes on LinkedIn, and you’re overwhelmed with what seems to be countless opportunities. It’s not just LinkedIn either—job platforms in general are overflowing with a ridiculous number of positions to sift through. While this might be seen as a positive aspect, there is a significant issue that job seekers may not be aware of: 81 percent of recruiters admit to posting ghost jobs, according to a survey by MyPerfectResume.

      What implications does this hold for your job search, and why do recruiters engage in this practice? Let’s explore everything you need to know about ghost jobs.

      What are ghost jobs?

      Contrary to popular belief, “ghost jobs are not scams,” asserts former recruiter, hiring manager, and recruitment marketer Hanna Goefft in a recent TikTok. She clarifies that ghost jobs are indeed “job postings from legitimate companies that don’t correspond to actual job openings,” unlike job scams, which primarily aim to acquire your personal details and account information. However, for job seekers, a fraudulent job listing is still a fraudulent job listing—irrespective of the type.

      According to Goefft, these listings are “the actual worst” because they distort U.S. job data. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than 7.5 million job openings at present, but there’s no way to determine how many of those are not genuinely open or the reasons for their existence. To illustrate, 36 percent of recruiters indicate that about one-quarter of the jobs they post are ghost jobs.

      Why do recruiters post ghost jobs?

      You might be asking, “Why would recruiters spend time posting ghost jobs?” It’s a fair question with an understandably frustrating answer. Goefft explains that “companies engage in this for several reasons.” Firstly, ghost jobs enable them to assess the talent market and create a pipeline of candidates, which could help them fill future positions or replace current employees. Additionally, they contribute to the façade of growth, enhancing the company’s reputation and online visibility. Moreover, they help companies evaluate the effectiveness of job descriptions and meet legal obligations—such as the requirement to post a job externally before hiring from within or through referrals. It functions as a clever workaround in every aspect.

      “36 percent of recruiters indicate that about a quarter of the jobs they post are ghost jobs.”

      As applications come pouring in, recruiters not only gain insights into potential candidates, but they can also hire according to their preferences and present themselves as more competitive in the current market—particularly following hiring freezes. For them, it’s a win-win scenario, and truthfully, it’s reasonable. However, this does not lessen the frustration for job seekers.

      How to identify ghost jobs

      Whether you're actively job hunting or just exploring options, it's crucial to learn how to identify ghost jobs. The last thing you want is to squander time customizing a cover letter and resume for a non-existent position. While there’s no foolproof way to determine which listings are ghost jobs and which are legitimate (and applying when in doubt is fine), here are a few tips from Goefft to help you spot them:

      Cross-check the job on the company’s website

      Job boards attract a multitude of views at all times, making them prime spots for recruiters to post ghost jobs. With that in mind, always cross-check the job opening on the company’s website. If you can’t find it on their careers section, they are probably just using the job board for exposure or talent acquisition.

      Investigate layoff news

      Layoffs remain prevalent, so before applying, conduct some research. A simple Google search with “[company name] layoffs” or checking Layoffs.fyi, which tracks layoffs across industries, can provide useful information. If a company is undergoing layoffs, they are likely posting jobs to maintain an appearance of viability or to gather resumes for future openings.

      Apply early

      Some job postings remain active even after the positions have been filled. Disappointing, I know. To avoid this, set alerts for new jobs and focus on those posted recently. Goefft recommends steering clear of any postings that have been live for over a month. Not only does applying early give you a better chance, but it can also help confirm that the job is still open.

      Consult online forums

      Online forums such as Glassdoor and Blind act like the gossip channels of the job market. If any issues