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Ghost Jobs Haunt Employment Websites and Boards

By Kit Yona, M.A. | Reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq. | Last updated on

Imagine:

  • Getting a tooth drilled at the dentist
  • Waiting in line at your state's motor vehicle department
  • Suffering through an awkward first date long enough to make your escape
  • Finding a new job

Of all the unpleasant experiences above, some might put finding a new job at the top of the list. While a lucky few have employers clamoring for their services, for most of us a job hunt is a dispiriting and ego-rattling slog. Not hearing back from that position you're perfect for is beyond frustrating.

Would it be better or worse if you knew that the position never really existed in the first place? A 2024 study by Greenhouse indicates that close to 20% of all online employment postings aren't for an actual job. Welcome to the practice of ghost job listings.

An Unwelcome Figment of Someone's Imagination

If you're like many other job hunters, you may have let an involuntary growl slip while reading that. As anyone who's had to seek employment knows, finding a job is often an unpleasant experience. Optimizing your cover letter and resume for each position is time-consuming and tedious. It's also discouraging to see your workplace accomplishments reduced to fit a template.

It's natural to wonder why a company would be so careless with the time of others. In some instances, it may not be a company at all. Scammers will post positions that sound attractive and offer excellent pay to "hire" someone. Their goal is to gain access to their bank accounts under the premise of making sure direct deposit works. Be leery of an interview process that relies on chat instead of in-person or video meetings.

As for why a company might post a ghost position, there are multiple possible reasons:

  • Their next best employee: Creates a talent pool in case a position needs unexpected filling
  • Their next best customer: Every application is a name with data to be added to a mailing list
  • Look at us grow!: A company looking to hire gives the impression that they're growing, whether that's true or not
  • Indirect motivation: Whether they want one of their own employees to work harder or resign, having them see their position listed on a job board will have an effect one way or another
  • Because they can: From a legal standpoint, it is difficult for a job seeker to take legal action against a company for a questionable job listing

Not all ghost job positions are intentional. In some instances, circumstances within the company may cause them to abandon the search. Unless alerted, job boards will leave a position posted for the duration it was contracted for.

Calling All Ghostbusters

The very concept of a ghost job listing can be utterly infuriating. Many people are in desperate need of employment. It's often difficult to gauge whether a position is fictitious. Even if it is, it's likely you'll never find out. However, there are a few practices that might save you the time and hassle of applying:

  • Go to the source: If you are alerted to a position on a job board, it's a good idea to both verify the posting and apply at the company's website
  • That's what HR is for: Contact the company's HR department if you're having difficulty locating the job offer on their website
  • Check their socials: Companies with large media footprints will often broadcast open positions through their social media outlets
  • Expiration: The employment process differs between industries, but a posting over two months old has a decent chance of being either already filled or just for show

If you're not sure but afraid of missing out on potential employment, do some extra research. Look up reviews of the company from current and former employees. Check for any past instances of fraud. Be optimistic but cautious.

Knowing when a job posting is fraudulent is the hard part. However, if you are able to prove that a company knowingly posted a job they had no intention of filling, it is possible you might have a legal claim for something like negligent misrepresentation or false advertising, depending on your state's laws and the nature of the ghost job posting. If the ghost job turns out to be a scam, you can report it to authorities for criminal investigation.

However, while there may be legal options, it is typically not the easiest legal claim to make, prove, or recover for. Speak to an attorney to understand your options before you go too far down the rabbit hole investigating a job post.

Success Is the Best Revenge

The posting of a ghost job is something most of us have difficulty fathoming. Applying for a position that doesn't exist is on no job hunter's wishlist. It's an unfortunate product of our employment system. It can also become a good story to share while you're settling into that job you finally got and meeting your coworkers.

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