Are you wasting your time on ghost jobs?

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I missed last week’s newsletter because I was speaking at an event and all my energy was focused on that. I’m sorry to miss the post, especially because I’ve been wanting to talk with you about ghost jobs! Not only is this topic seasonally appropriate with Halloween around the corner, but I desperately want you to know what to avoid when you’re job hunting.?

Two weeks ago I talked about why the job search sucks . One of the reasons it sucks is because many job listings are fake - they are called “ghost jobs.” Today I’m going to tell you all about ghost jobs - what they are, why they happen, and how to spot them.?

WHAT ARE GHOST JOBS?

Also known as “phantom jobs,” these are job listings that companies create with no intention of filling the role.???

If you apply to a ghost job, you might apply and never hear back from the company, or worse - go through several rounds of interviews only to get ghosted by the company. They just stop responding to your messages.?

WHY DO COMPANIES POST GHOST JOBS?

The phenomenon came to light in 2022 when Clarify Capital, a company providing loans for small businesses, surveyed 1,000+ managers to understand their intent behind ghost jobs . The reasons for ghost jobs vary, but it is largely because of economic uncertainty.?

It has been a tricky few years for businesses. The pandemic threw everything off course in 2020, and The Great Resignation fueled employee upheaval through 2021 and 2022. Now that the Fed has increased interest rates and it is more expensive to borrow money, companies want to tighten their belts and prepare for any economic insecurity in 2023 and 2024. Ghost jobs are a reflection of this uncertainty.?

???Here are the reasons I have found why companies post ghost jobs, ranked in order from innocent to the most nefarious:

1. Overlisting: If a position is remote, it might be posted in markets all over the country, like Boston, San Francisco, New York, and Seattle. This looks like multiple job listings, but it’s ultimately just one remote job.?
2. Miscommunication: Large companies have lots of departments and sometimes poor communication between them. There are many people involved in the hiring process and if budgets or plans change, it could take weeks for the hiring manager to learn about it.?
3. Requirement: The hiring manager already wants an internal candidate for the job, but the company requires them to post the job anyway to avoid accusations of favoritism or discrimination.?
4. Fishing: Sometimes companies are in no rush to hire, but they post a job just to see the quality of candidates who apply. They want to meet talented people and have them on file in case a job opens up. This is especially true during economic uncertainty or for jobs that tend to have a high turnover.?
5. Deceit: Sometimes companies want to look like they are growing by hiring more people, even if they aren’t. In this case, the company won’t take a job listing down because it suggests they are shrinking or stagnant.?
6. Threats: I’ve heard of companies that post “open” jobs that are already filled by real employees, just to show those employees that they can be replaced anytime.?
7. Placate: If you think the last two situations were bad, wait for this one - sometimes companies will post ghost job listings just to placate overworked employees. Then they can say, “Look, we posted the job, we’re trying to find someone to help …” even if they have no intention of filling the role. This move is especially popular at companies that recently experienced layoffs and the remaining workers are piled with extra work.?

HOW TO SPOT GHOST JOBS

According to respondents of the Clarify Capital survey , up to 65% of job postings can be ghost jobs. Yes, you read that right. You could be spending all your time on job boards applying for jobs that don’t even exist. ???As a career coach, I’m a big advocate for networking your way to a job and avoiding job boards altogether (as I talked about in the last newsletter ).?

If, however, you are spending your time on the job boards, there are a few clues to look for to determine whether or not the job posting is real:?

1. When was the job posted? It if was posted in the last 1-2 weeks, you’re likely ok. If the post is more than 30 days old, it’s likely a ghost job.
2. Does the job get taken down and reposted? That is nearly 100% certain to be a ghost job.?
3. How detailed is the job description? If you see a detailed list of specific responsibilities and qualifications, then it’s likely real. Ghost job listings tend to be short, generic, and vague.?
4. Is the job opening listed on the company website? Job search boards scan company websites for jobs. A company could take a job off their own website and the job boards won’t update their listing for weeks. (While you’re at it - if you see a job you like, apply through the company website too. It helps you stand out from all the job seekers who are using “Easy Apply.")
5. Use LinkedIn to see if you have any 1st or 2nd connections at the company who can confirm whether the company is actually hiring. (This is a great way to network your way into the role too.) If you do not have connections, find the hiring manager on LinkedIn (the person who would be your boss, usually the manager of the department) and ask if they are still hiring for the role. BONUS: What a great way to get your resume directly into the hands of the hiring manager!?
6. Search for news about the company. Were there any recent layoffs or big changes in the organization? For example, if they just received a round of funding, then they are legitimately hiring more people. If the company recently laid off employees, they are unlikely to hire anytime soon.?
7. Beware of scams. Some job listings are worse than fake - they’re actual scams. Beware of companies that want to conduct an interview over text, ask for personal information like your social security number, or offer to send money so that you can buy equipment.?

All right! I hope I have sufficiently opened your eyes to the wild world of ghost jobs, and now you know what to avoid in your job search. And if you’re ready to ditch those job boards and actually land a job you love, make a 30-minute appointment and tell me all about it.?

To your success,

- Emily

EMILY WORDEN is a certified professional career coach helping driven job seekers get hired, get paid, and get more confident in their personal and professional lives. She helps mid-career professionals with career transitions, whether they want to move into a new industry or return to work after a career pause. Emily created a proven five-step method to help people find jobs they love for more money than they were expecting - the typical client receives a job offer in three months with a 20% pay increase. Kick your career in gear at www.emilyworden.com .