Ghost Jobs: What They Are, Why Companies Use Them, How to Avoid Them

Michael Myers. The Shining. Freddy Krueger. Friday the 13^th. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetle … no, we’re not falling for that again. Halloween welcomes any number of frightening figures and ghost stories that we love for delivering a good scare. Ghost jobs, on the other hand, are phantoms that many would rather do without.

Many people looking to make a move in their career path have become frustrated with the “ghost jobs” phenomenon. The term refers to job listings that appear open but, in reality, may not have an immediate vacancy—or they might never have been intended to result in actually hiring anybody.

Finding the right job is challenging enough without the specter of ghost jobs hanging in the air, but there they are, lurking not only in the shadows but right there in broad daylight. They can lead to frustration, disillusionment and lack of trust among job candidates. And while there’s no silver bullet solution (these are ghost jobs, not werewolf jobs, after all), understanding what exactly ghost jobs are, why certain companies opt to use them, and how you can potentially identify and avoid these listings can lead to a less scary job-seeking experience.

What Is a Ghost Job?

No, we’re not talking about a gig at one of those “immersive” haunted houses that pop up this time of year. A ghost job is a job posting that a company has no immediate intention of filling, or may already have filled internally, or is for a position that simply may not exist in reality. These job listings often stay live on job boards and company websites for extended periods without candidates receiving any response or closure on the status of their applications.

Ghost jobs can appear in any industry, from tech to retail, and often lure job seekers in with promising descriptions, only to result in disappointment when candidates either don’t hear back or discover the position was never truly available.

Why Do Companies Post Ghost Jobs?

There are several reasons why companies maintain or post listings for ghost jobs. Below are the most common reasons:

1. Talent Pipelines: Some companies use ghost jobs to build a talent pipeline, maintaining a list of potential candidates they can turn to when a real vacancy opens up. These listings enable them to have a steady stream of applicants on standby, which can reduce the time needed to hire if a role becomes immediately available.
2. Market Research: Job listings can serve as a subtle form of market research, allowing companies to gather insights on salary expectations, experience levels and skills of potential applicants. By observing who applies and at what experience level, companies can gain a sense of the talent pool available and can better understand the current job market without any intention of hiring.
3. Brand Promotion: Some companies post ghost jobs to create a perception of growth and innovation. A company with a constantly updated list of "open positions" can seem to be in an expansion phase, which can attract investors, partners and clients, all of whom may feel more inclined to engage with a business that appears to be on the rise.
4. Internal Policies and Organizational Changes: Sometimes, job listings are a result of internal miscommunication or ongoing organizational changes. For example, a hiring manager may anticipate an opening but has not yet received budgetary approval. In such cases, they might post the job anyway, only to find out later that the hiring freeze or budget cut means the position can’t be filled.
5. To Keep Applicants Interested: For certain competitive industries, companies may want to keep interested candidates within their ecosystem. They might post listings to give hopeful candidates an incentive to keep checking in, making it easier to reach out to these candidates later if a role does eventually open.

How Job Seekers Can Spot Ghost Jobs

Identifying ghost jobs can be tricky, as listings often look just like any other real job opportunities. However, job seekers can take several measures to avoid spending time and energy on these potentially deceptive listings:

1. Check the Posting Date and Duration: Positions that have been listed for months without updates may indicate a ghost job. Companies looking to fill immediate needs generally won’t leave a job listing open for extended periods without adjusting the description or reposting.
2. Look for Multiple Listings for the Same Position: Sometimes, companies list the same role multiple times across different job boards or with slight changes in the title or description. If a company continuously reposts the same position with only slight modifications, it may be a ghost job intended for market research or brand-building.
3. Search for Company Updates or Layoffs: Job seekers should look up recent news about the company before applying. Companies that have undergone recent layoffs or are in industries struggling financially may not be actively hiring, and postings from such companies could be intended to give an illusion of stability.
4. Observe Communication Patterns: If a job posting attracts several applicants but results in little to no communication or feedback, it could indicate a ghost job. If a company is consistently unresponsive or provides vague replies about the hiring timeline, it might not have an active hiring plan for that role.

Navigating the Job Market Unafraid

We understand how rigorous the job-seeking process can be—things can be challenging enough without having to worry about ghost jobs. While ghost jobs aren’t entirely avoidable, job seekers can minimize their impact by being aware, discerning and strategic, ensuring they focus their efforts on genuine opportunities.

You can’t call Ghostbusters, but working with our team of tenured ECLARO recruiters is a sure way to make sure your career journey is focused on your goals, your skills, and very real roles in industries ranging from finance and banking to healthcare and insurance to government services and beyond. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetle … just making sure you’re still paying attention. Happy Halloween, and may your career be filled with no tricks, only treats.