In the labyrinth of the modern job market, there’s a ghostly presence that’s haunting job seekers everywhere: Ghost jobs. These phantom positions appear enticingly real on job boards, luring applicants into a seemingly endless cycle of applications and hopes. Yet, just as swiftly, they vanish without a trace, leaving candidates bewildered and employers silent. As the phenomenon grows, it’s time to unravel the mystery behind these spectral listings and uncover the true impact of ghost jobs on our pursuit of meaningful employment.
What is a Ghost Job?
Ghost jobs are the vacancies that a company advertises but has no intention of filling. The reason for this may vary from company to company.
One possible explanation is that a company may be unable to budget for hiring new employees during that specific period, while another reason could be to assess the talent pool available in the market.
There is also a possibility that these “open jobs” have been posted earlier for an upcoming position, which is not currently available or will not exist at all.
Many companies that freeze the hiring process still have job postings listed.
How to Avoid Falling for Ghost Jobs
1. Consider the Date Posted:
Check the posting date. If a job has been listed for over 30+ days for the positions that need to be filled immediately, the possiblities are unlikely to be open for an extended period. There might still be companies genuinely looking for the right candidate., always remember the time frame and the urgency of the position that needs to be filled.
2. Cross-check with the Company Website:
Verify the job’s authenticity by checking the company’s official website. While direct contact details for the hiring person might not be available, the job listing should still be present on the company’s career page.
3. Analyze the Contact Information:
A legitimate job posting often includes a corporate email address. Be cautious if the email address seems unprofessional or doesn’t match the company’s domain.
4. Beware of the “Easy Apply” Button:
Easy Apply for Easy data harvesting.
On platforms like LinkedIn, using the “Easy Apply” feature might automatically make you follow the company. Some organizations exploit this to boost their social media followers by creating fake job postings. Always review the application settings before submitting.
Advice for Hiring Bodies and HR Professionals
The reputation of any organization is significantly influenced by how it treats its employees and job candidates. Posting ghost jobs can damage your reputation and should be avoided. Job boards like LinkedIn Talent Solutions GlassDoor and other companies should implement periodic checks to ensure job postings are up-to-date and genuine.
