What are ‘Ghost Jobs’: The rising invisible trap in today’s employment sector—Everything you need to know!

Ramesh, a marketing professional with over five years of experience, was browsing online job portals in search of his next career move. One day, he found a job listing that perfectly matched his skills and aspirations. With a hopeful heart, he clicked “apply,” believing he had found his dream job. But after that, he heard nothing—not even a “thank you for applying” note. What happened here? Ramesh unknowingly became a victim of what’s commonly known as a “ghost job.”

So, what are ghost jobs?

“Ghost jobs” refer to job postings companies publish without any immediate intention of hiring. These phantom listings remain active for various strategic reasons, such as talent pooling, market research, employer branding, etc.
Recently, ghost jobs have gained more prominence with the surge in job hunting. A report by Resume Builder reveals that four out of ten companies have admitted to posting fake job listings, while three out of ten acknowledged advertising roles that aren’t real. The report further suggests that 40 percent of companies posted fake job listings in 2024 alone.

Is a ghost job a scam, or is there a difference?

Ghost jobs aren’t inherently scams, but they can still be misleading. Unlike scams, where the intent is often to deceive or exploit job seekers (by asking for money or personal details), ghost jobs may exist to gather interest or build candidate pipelines without any immediate hiring needs. However, ghost jobs can still frustrate job seekers, leading them to repeatedly apply for roles that don’t lead anywhere.

Why do companies post ghost jobs?

There are several reasons why a company might decide to post a ghost job, including:

Talent Pipeline Building: To ensure a pool of qualified candidates is readily available when a genuine need arises, minimizing hiring delays.
Market Research and Trends: Companies use these listings to monitor the job market, assessing skill availability and guiding future hiring strategies.
Company Image and Perception: A consistent flow of job listings can project growth and stability, enhancing the company’s brand and appeal in competitive sectors.
Preparing for Budget Approval: Some companies post roles even before receiving full budget approval, allowing them to fast-track hiring once the budget is confirmed.
Internal Benchmarking: Ghost listings enable companies to compare salary offers, qualifications, and perks with industry expectations before formally launching a hiring process.

The Negative Impact of Ghost Jobs on Companies and Job Seekers

“The rise of ‘ghost jobs’—job listings without active hiring—brings significant downsides for both companies and job seekers, impacting trust, resources, and morale.”

Negative Impact on Companies

Damaged Employer Reputation: Frequent ghost job postings can foster distrust among job seekers, making the company appear unreliable or even deceptive. This harms the employer brand and discourages high-quality candidates.
Wasted Resources: Reviewing applications, conducting screenings, and responding to inquiries for ghost jobs drain HR resources without any real hiring outcomes, diverting focus from actual vacancies.
Lower Quality of Future Applicants: When job seekers suspect a company of posting ghost jobs, they may either avoid applying altogether or apply with less enthusiasm. This diminishes the overall quality of applicants, as serious candidates seek opportunities elsewhere.

Negative Impact on Candidates

Time and Effort Wastage: Candidates invest significant time in researching, applying, and preparing for roles that don’t exist, leading to wasted effort and burnout, especially for those in active job search mode.
Increased Job Search Frustration and Anxiety: Ghost jobs contribute to stress and frustration. Continuous rejections or lack of response erodes candidates’ motivation and self-confidence, making the job search even more challenging.
False Expectations: Candidates applying for ghost jobs may pass up real opportunities elsewhere, assuming they are being considered for the ghost job. This can lead to prolonged periods of unemployment or underemployment, as they miss out on genuine prospects.