Identifying ‘ghost jobs’—advertised positions unconnected to an active vacancy—has become an important job-search skill. In a ResumeBuilder.com survey of 1,011 adults who had sought work within the previous two years, 86% reported encountering such an advert. The experience extended beyond submitting applications: 58% said they had interviewed for a position they subsequently suspected was a ghost job, while 36% had devoted at least four hours to opportunities they now believed were not genuine.
Candidates are becoming alert to recurring warning signs. Adverts that remained active for unusually long periods or appeared outdated were identified by 38% of respondents, while 34% pointed to positions repeatedly withdrawn and reposted. A lack of response from employers, or an unclear recruitment timetable, also raised suspicions. To verify opportunities before applying, 34% checked publication dates, 32% looked for the vacancy on the employer’s careers website and 27% avoided repeatedly reposted positions. A further 15% contacted employers or recruitment agencies to confirm that a vacancy existed.
The spread of ghost jobs has weakened trust in the employment market and prompted New York state lawmakers to pass legislation prohibiting them in June. Experts recommend assessing whether an advertised role fits developments at the company or within its sector, including particular projects or regulatory timetables. They also advise avoiding implausibly attractive adverts, text messages offering interviews and listings requiring payment in advance. These checks form part of applicants’ efforts to establish whether an opportunity is genuine before investing time in it.
