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The Truth About Ghost Jobs and Their Prevalence
The reasons behind ghost jobs vary.
Some companies post them to build a pipeline of candidates for future hiring needs. Others might use them to gauge the market for specific skills or to keep resumes on file.
In some cases, businesses may have had the intention to hire but later froze the position due to budget constraints.
As Geoffrey Scott, Senior Content Manager and Hiring Manager at Resume Genius, explains, “Ghost jobs are actually not scams. They’re from real companies, but they are openings that don’t actually exist. That company is not actually hiring for that role at this time. They might be interested in hiring for that role in the future, or maybe they were hiring for it, but due to budget cuts, those roles were closed or put on hold.”
Whatever the reason, the result is the same for job seekers—time wasted applying for positions that don’t actually exist. This is especially disheartening in a job market already filled with uncertainty and intense competition.
The Worrying Trend of Ghost Jobs
The rise of ghost jobs is concerning for several reasons.
First, they create false hope. Job seekers spend valuable time and effort tailoring their resumes and preparing for interviews, only to discover that the position isn’t real.
This can lead to frustration, burnout, and a sense of futility in the job search process. Ghost jobs distort perceptions of the job market and an organization’s health.
Jasmine Escalera, a career expert for MyPerfectResume, points out that a big reason for posting these jobs is recruiters wanting to improve their business’ image.
“Companies are trying to project ‘We’re okay, we’re still maintaining hiring, that we’re still moving in a growth-oriented trend. In this market, our organization is doing well.’ That ties into why these fake jobs might be appearing more from a comforting perspective,” she says. “It really is about the business, the bottom line, showing growth, showing trends, and how that can connect to maintaining profit.”
When these fake listings inflate the number of available positions, they give a misleading impression of the demand for workers, which can be particularly damaging in industries already facing high unemployment.
Scam Jobs vs. Ghost Jobs
It’s important, at this point, to distinguish between ghost jobs and scam jobs.
While ghost jobs are real listings from legitimate companies, scam jobs are fraudulent. Scam jobs are created by individuals or organizations looking to exploit job seekers, often by asking for personal information, upfront fees, or other sensitive data. These scams can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and emotional distress.
On the other hand, ghost jobs are either posted by companies that may not be actively hiring for a role, or involve positions that have already been filled, or.
While frustrating, ghost jobs don’t typically involve malicious intent. They’re not designed to deceive in the way scam jobs are, but they do waste job seekers’ time and can be misleading about actual employment opportunities.
The Prevalence of Ghost Jobs
Ghost jobs are surprisingly common.
According to a recent ResumeBuilder survey, 3 in 10 companies currently have active fake listings.
This statistic alone highlights just how widespread the issue is.
Companies have various reasons for posting fake job listings. According to the same survey, companies posted fake job listings to make it appear the company is open to external talent (67%), to act like the company is growing (66%), or to make employees believe their workload would be alleviated by new workers (63%).
Others do it to make employees feel replaceable (62%) or to collect resumes and keep them on file for a later date (59%).
The prevalence of ghost jobs can be attributed to several factors.
For instance, temporary agencies continually seek new talent and regularly post job ads because they require candidates who have already been vetted whenever a client needs someone to fill a position.
Even companies that are not immediately hiring may post jobs to build a stronger pipeline for roles they might need in the future.
Why Are Ghost Jobs So Common?
The ResumeBuilder survey reports that, according to hiring managers, posting fake job listings has had a positive effect on their companies.
A whopping 68% of them report a positive impact on revenue, and 65% report a positive impact on employee morale.
These statistics suggest that ghost jobs can be a strategic tool from a company’s perspective. They create the illusion of growth and opportunity, which can boost a company’s reputation and attract talent.
Exploring the Grey Area
While ghost jobs may benefit companies, they create a significant gray area.
On the one hand, they help businesses prepare for future hiring needs and maintain an image of growth. On the other hand, they waste job seekers’ time and contribute to the already high levels of frustration and anxiety in the job market.
This practice raises ethical questions. Is it fair for companies to advertise jobs that aren’t real? Should job seekers have to navigate this minefield during an already stressful job search? While ghost jobs aren’t scams, they’re certainly not a welcome trend for those trying to secure employment.
Understanding what a ghost job is and why they’re so common can help job seekers steer clear of this frustrating pitfall. There are several key signs to watch for that will keep you informed, vigilant, and focused on real opportunities.
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