Ever spent hours perfecting your resume, writing a cover letter, and hitting “Apply” with hope, only to hear nothing?

You might’ve been chasing a ghost job.

Companies post roles they don’t plan to fill, leaving applicants in limbo. Why do they do it, and how can you avoid falling for it?

Let’s pull back the curtain on these phantom postings.

Key Takeaways:

• Ghost jobs are a growing problem in the job market
• Companies use them to show growth
• Recruiters collect CVs without needing a real job opening
• Low quality job aggregators spread the problem
• ParlayJobs avoids ghost jobs with a manual review process
• Tips to create a high quality job post

What are Ghost Jobs?

Many job listings are not real. Known as "ghost jobs," these postings never lead to a hire. Some positions were filled long ago. Others were never meant to be filled.

In 2023, Revelio Labs found that less than half of posted jobs resulted in a hire.

Clarify Capital’s survey showed that 70% of job listings stayed open for over 30 days, and 10% remained unfilled for more than six months.

Why Do Companies Post Ghost Jobs?

Ghost jobs rarely lead to actual hires. So why do companies post them?

They serve multiple different purposes.

Ghost Jobs as a Signal of Growth

Companies use ghost job postings to project the image of expansion. These listings signal to current employees that the company is growing.

When overworked teams see new positions advertised, it suggests that relief is on the horizon. This can boost morale and improve internal perceptions.

Marketing and Talent Pipeline

Beyond internal reassurance, ghost jobs work as a marketing tool. They attract external talent while maintaining a steady influx of resumes for future hiring.

Recruiters keep these postings active to build a reserve of candidates. This helps streamline future recruitment efforts.

Low-Quality Job Boards and AI

Low-quality job boards automatically scrape and share job listings. These sites add ghost jobs to their feeds without proper checks.

AI tools make the process even easier. With less time, money, and effort needed, companies can post jobs faster.

This trend creates a surplus of ghost listings that mislead job seekers.

Consequences for Job Seekers

Ghost jobs waste the time of many applicants. They create false hopes and waste time.

In the U.S., Resume Genius identified around 1.7 million potential ghost job openings on LinkedIn alone.

In the UK, StandOut CV reported that over a third of job listings in 2023 were live for more than 30 days.

How to Avoid Ghost Jobs?

Job seekers can take steps to avoid fake listings:

• Check the Posting Date: Jobs posted over 30 days ago are less likely to be active.
• Research Companies: Online communities, forums, and sites like Glassdoor and Reddit flag companies with a history of ghost jobs.
• Look for Detailed Listings: Vague descriptions or roles that seem too good to be true can be a red flag.
• Apply Directly: When possible, apply directly through the company’s career portal rather than via an ATS.
• Focus on Quality Applications: Invest time in opportunities that seem legitimate and worth your effort.

By being selective and informed, you can avoid wasting time on ghost job postings and focus on real opportunities.

How ParlayJobs Prevents Ghost Jobs

Job seekers are turning to services with human moderation. This mirrors trends in online media consumption.

With overwhelming information and AI spam on social media, traditional job search platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed are becoming cluttered with ghost jobs and automated listings.

Curated job boards, targeted email lists, and quality recruiters are gaining traction. These services offer fewer listings, but they focus on genuine opportunities that lead to actual hires

At ParlayJobs, we work to eliminate ghost jobs and improve the job search experience:

Human Review Process

Every job listing is reviewed by a human before being posted. This ensures that each opportunity is genuine and accurately described.

30-Day Listing Limit

Job postings expire after 30 days. This limit prevents outdated listings from lingering, keeping the job board current and useful.

Curated Job Alerts

Our weekly newsletter delivers every verified job opportunity directly to your inbox. This saves you time by avoiding scrolling through the clutter on big boards.

How to Create Transparent Job Listings

Employers must ensure that their job postings are clear and detailed to avoid looking like a fake listing.

A transparent listing includes essential information such as the start date, wage, and a precise description of job responsibilities.

Avoiding vague or overly generic language is crucial. When listings contain fluffy content, they can appear automated or simply designed to cast a wide net, undermining their credibility.

Establishing a Clear Application Process

A well-defined application process builds trust with candidates. Employers should outline each step of the process and communicate expected timelines.

This clarity not only reassures applicants that the role is genuine but also minimizes confusion and reduces the impression of an abandoned, or ghost, job posting.

Showcasing a Transparent Hiring Page

Maintaining an updated hiring page on your website further demonstrates commitment to openness.

This page can provide valuable insights, including how long a job advert was active, the number of applications received, and even details on the final hire.

Sharing such metrics, companies signal that their hiring practices are accountable and genuine, distancing themselves from ghost job reputations.

Providing Feedback to Candidates

Offering constructive feedback to job seekers who aren’t selected is another key step. Direct responses not only help candidates understand the decision but also enhance the overall transparency of the hiring process.

When employers share insights about their process, it builds a reputation for being considerate and professional, encouraging stronger engagement from talent.

Ghost jobs remain a persistent challenge, and the job market must evolve to embrace transparency and authenticity to regain trust and attract genuine talent.