Job boards are full of listings that suggest an abundance of openings. Oftentimes, it can make the wait to get hired an even more excruciating experience.
You start to think, “Why is it taking so long to land work?” The answer: not all those jobs are real.
The phenomenon of ghost jobs
‘Ghost jobs’ are advertisements for supposedly open positions that companies don’t actually intend to fill.
Career and communications strategist Sue Parker said companies have used these strategies to improve public image or create talent pools. The listings can also provide information about your competitors during the interview stage.
While there are regulations and fines to discourage misleading job ads in Australia, companies are still likely to find loopholes and post the listing anyway.
Unfortunately, job seekers are using up time and energy to send these applications with no word back. The constant failure and waiting for those non-existent openings can be incredibly discouraging when job hunting.
Spotting a ghost job
Ghost jobs are inevitable in the online space, but fortunately, you can train yourself to identify them. Here are some key questions to ask yourself before applying for a listing:
1. Are the details confusing?
Say you’re looking for a work-from-home gig. About 47 per cent of people prefer remote jobs to have autonomy over where they work.
If you come across a job listing that says it’s 100 per cent remote, on-site and hybrid all at once, consider it a red flag. You can try clarifying with the employer’s profile, but hold off on sending out your application.
2. Is the listing too good to be true?
If a job posting feels like it’s absolutely perfect, it’s probably either a ghost job or a fraudulent listing.
Some key warning signs are too high a pay grade, an overly flexible work schedule or zero qualifications needed for the position. Seeing all these instances in one listing is especially suspicious.
3. Is the listing old?
Filter the job listings to find more recently posted ones. Ben Hamer, a commentator on work issues, said that a listing involves a ghost job if the ad has run for more than 30 days online.
It’s possible that a company filled an opening and just forgot to take down the ad. However, that doesn’t change the fact that you’ll be knocking on a closed door.
4. Has the listing been posted multiple times?
Have you seen a recurring job ad that’s been popping up since last year? There’s a chance that the company hasn’t filled the position and is still looking for the right fit. However, it could possibly be a ghost job as well, especially for non-niche industries.
Trust your gut feeling when coming across these kinds of listings.
5. Are there any company reviews?
Employees are the best reference for the hiring and working process within a company. In fact, about 70 per cent of consumers check company reviews when researching a business’s success. If there’s zero feedback from workers or candidates, you may have a ghost job on your hands. This could also be the case for lower company ratings.
6. Does the company have an online presence at all?
Another red flag about ghost jobs is employers having zero online presence. About 71 per cent of businesses worldwide have their own website as of 2023. Many companies also take advantage of social media platforms and forums.
If a company doesn’t have that information, it’s way too sketchy to push through and apply.
Save your time on the job hunt
Ghost jobs can take up much of your time and energy while bringing down your confidence during the job hunt. Have a sharper eye for those listings and trust your gut when it tells you to stay away.
Most importantly, know that the time will come when you land real work. Good luck!
