Are You Applying to Ghost Jobs?
If you go by the number of listings on job sites and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings are seemingly plentiful. So why is everyone we know having an impossible time getting hired?
The answer is ghost jobs, positions posted by employers who have no intention of filling them. A recent survey from Clarify Capital showed that while 3 in 5 employers say that they have open positions, 1 in 4 don’t plan to fill an open role for three months or more. When asked why they post non-urgent job openings, employers most commonly said they were “always open to hiring new people (37%), they “wanted an active pool of applicants in case of turnover” (22%), and “no reason in particular” (21%).
If you’re coughing a cussword into your sleeve at those answers, consider this: 1 in 5 employers surveyed said that they “feel pressured by stakeholders or investors to maintain an image of growth through job postings.”
We may be on to something.
How to Tell if a Job Opening Is a Ghost Job
Avoiding phony job listings is harder than it sounds. You can’t just look for legitimate employers or companies that frequently hire, because even real companies are guilty of posting ghost jobs.
To save time and heartache:
Create a Multiprong Strategy
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, especially if that basket is online job boards. A solid search strategy should focus on a couple of different avenues for finding a job, personal recommendations, informational interviews, part-time or freelance work, and online job searching.
Network
We know, you’re tired of hearing it. We’re tired of saying it. But the best ROI for job seekers has always been getting a referral from a connection. Now that online job search seems to be broken, this is more true than ever.
Remember that networking is just a boring word for something people do anyway: form friendships. Tell your friends, colleagues, even family members that you’re looking.
And here’s the key: be specific about what you can do and what you’re looking for. You might be open to a variety of different jobs, but you’re better off giving them a few guidelines. For example, don’t say, “I’ll take any job in [fill-in-the-blank industry].” Tell them, “I have X number of years of experience, and I’ve achieved the following. I’m looking for [list job titles or responsibilities here].”
Apply Through Corporate Sites, Not Job Sites
Companies also post ghost jobs, it’s true. But if you apply directly through a company’s careers page, at least you know that your resume will actually go through the corporate applicant tracking system. Apply on a jobs board, and your resume could wind up with a scam artist using AI to mass-produce fake listings.
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Earlier Posts From The Job Hopper
Jobs Report: Revisions Show 403,000 Fewer Jobs in 2025 Than Originally Reported
The monthly jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 130,000 jobs added in January, nearly double economists’ expectations. Dig deeper, however, and you’ll see the uneven and stagnant job growth that’s become typical for labor data.
Is AI Really to Blame for All These Layoffs?
Layoffs surged 205% from December to January, according to Challenger, Grey & Christmas, with technology and tech-adjacent sectors especially hard hit. If you’ve skimmed the headlines lately, you might assume that these cuts are due to companies deploying AI technology in order to cut labor costs. But there may be more to the story.
Here’s How Long It Takes to Get a Job Now
Huntr released its Annual Job Search Trends Report last week, and the numbers confirm what many job seekers have been saying: getting hired really is taking longer than it used to.
The 5 Best Ways to Get Hired in January and February
If you’re seeing more job openings right now, you’re not alone. Our LinkedIn feed is full of brand-new listings for jobs that were nowhere to be found a few weeks ago. On Threads, there are lots of posts sprinkling good luck job dust for people with interviews on their schedules. Such is the magic of January, when budgets are open, and hiring managers are (finally) interested in staffing up. Here’s how to grab the opportunity while it lasts.
Free Tools for Job Seekers and Career Changers
You don’t necessarily need to pay for help when you’re looking for a job. Some of the best job search tools are 100% free. You can get no-cost help finding job listings, writing your resume and cover letters, interviewing for jobs, and more. There are even free career quizzes and online classes — just in case you’ve decided to pivot to an entirely new line of work. Find tools here.
How To Find Companies That Are Still Hiring
If your job search is stalled, take a break from looking for specific job openings. Instead, target companies that are staffing up. Here’s how.
Where To Get Financial Help When You’re Unemployed
What can you do if you’ve run out of unemployment benefits, are about to lose them, or if your benefits aren’t enough to pay the bills? It’s scary to have little or no income, but you may be eligible for financial assistance to help you through this difficult time. Here’s where to go for help.