In today’s competitive job market, the prevalence of “ghost jobs” is making it even harder for job seekers to find meaningful employment opportunities. According to a recent internal review of data conducted by hiring platform Greenhouse, it was discovered that a significant 18% to 22% of job posts are ghost listings, meaning they are roles that companies are not actively looking to fill.
Greenhouse, with over 7,500 clients including Major League Baseball and HubSpot, found that nearly 70% of the companies using its platform had posted at least one ghost job in the second quarter of 2024. Industries such as construction, the arts, food, and legal were identified as having the most ghost jobs based on the internal data.
It is concerning that for about 15% of Greenhouse’s clients, posting ghost jobs was a regular practice, resulting in half of the jobs listed by this group remaining unfilled. The impact of ghost jobs on the job market is alarming, leading Greenhouse president and co-founder Jon Stross to describe it as “a horror show” and emphasizing that “the job market has become more soul-crushing than ever.”
Companies have various reasons for posting ghost jobs, with advantages such as creating the illusion of growth, attracting new talent, and building their online presence by amassing followers and contacts. However, job seekers are increasingly frustrated by ghost jobs, as highlighted in Resume Genius’ Job Seeker Insights Survey.
To identify a ghost job, job seekers are advised to check the listing date and avoid applying to positions that have been open for more than two months. Additionally, cross-checking job board listings with the company’s website, checking their social media, and reaching out directly are recommended strategies to spot ghost jobs and avoid wasting time on unfruitful applications.
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