1 in 5 job postings aren’t real, recent study finds
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LOS ANGELES - A recent analysis from the hiring platform Greenhouse has revealed that nearly one in five job postings last quarter were "ghost jobs" — listings published online but never actively pursued by hiring teams. Some industries saw even higher rates, with up to one in three job postings classified as ghost jobs.
The phenomenon leaves job seekers frustrated as they apply for positions that may never lead to hiring activity. The reasons behind these postings vary, from companies trying to project growth to scouting for exceptional candidates without a specific role in mind.
What are ghost jobs, and why are companies posting them?
Why you should care:
Ghost jobs are job postings published online with no intention of actively hiring. Greenhouse found that between 18% and 22% of job postings last quarter fit this description.
Companies often post ghost jobs to signal growth, even if they’re not hiring. Some organizations are open to exceptional candidates and keep listings active to scout talent. Others admit to using ghost jobs to make current employees feel replaceable, pressuring them to perform better.
This trend has significant implications for job seekers, as it can waste time, create false expectations, and lead to frustration in the job search process.
Which industries have the highest ghost job rates?
By the numbers:
Greenhouse identified the construction industry as having the highest ghost job rate, with 38% of postings classified as ghost jobs. The art industry followed at 34%, while legal jobs ranked third at 29%.
FILE - A 'Help Wanted' sign in a shop window in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images)
Corporate services jobs also showed a high ghost job rate, with nearly 31% of postings in the second quarter of 2024 resulting in no hires.
The surprising reasons behind ghost jobs
What they're saying:
A survey from Resume Builder in 2024 found that 39% of hiring managers admitted their companies posted fake job listings in the past year. Among those, 26% said they posted one to three fake listings, while 13% reported posting 75 or more.
Some hiring managers revealed troubling motivations, such as wanting employees to feel "replaceable" so they work harder. Others cited reasons like keeping an active pipeline of candidates or projecting a sense of company growth.
The Source
This story is based on reports from Greenhouse and Resume Builder, analyzing hiring trends and company motivations for ghost jobs.