You apply. You wait. You hear nothing. Weeks pass, the job is still posted, and you start wondering: “Was this even real?”
 
Welcome to the world of ghost jobs. Ghost job postings or fake jobs are the ones that look legitimate, posted by people who have little or no intent to hire. In 2025, they’ve become so common that nearly 1 in 5 listings fall into this category. For job seekers, ghost jobs waste time, drain energy, and make the job hunt feel like running in place.
 
Recent studies and reports suggest a significant prevalence of ghost jobs (fake jobs):
​
Prevalence: Anywhere between 18% and 36% of all job openings might be “ghost jobs”. One study from Baruch College researcher Hunter Ng suggests that as many as 21% of job ads could be classified as ghost jobs.
 
Industry Variations: Some industries exhibit higher rates of ghost jobs. For example, construction (38%), arts (34%), and legal (29%) sectors show higher rates of ghost job postings, according to the hiring platform “Greenhouse”.

Employers post fake jobs with no intention of filling them for several reasons:
 
Maintaining Talent Pipelines: Especially for specialized or hard-to-fill roles, companies may keep listings open indefinitely to gather resumes for future hiring needs.
 
Market Research: Analyzing resumes and salary expectations from ghost job applications can provide companies with insights into the talent pool and compensation trends.
 
Projecting Growth: Posting numerous job openings can create an illusion of company growth, even if hiring is not actively taking place.
 
Budget Uncertainty: The role may be frozen until funding is approved.
 
Compliance Requirements: Certain government contracts require posting a role even if an internal candidate is already lined up.
 
Employee Relations: Some companies might post fake jobs to make current employees feel replaceable, subtly pushing them to perform better.
 
Internal Promotions: They’ve already chosen someone inside the company, but post publicly for policy reasons.
 
The impact of ghost jobs can have several negative consequences:
 
Wasted Time & Frustration: Job seekers spend time and effort applying for positions that were never meant to be filled, leading to frustration and job-search burnout.
 
Distorted Labor Market Data: The presence of ghost jobs can inflate job vacancy numbers, distorting labor market metrics and potentially leading to misinformed policy decisions.
 
According to a Greenhouse study, in any given quarter, 18-22% of the jobs posted on the Greenhouse platform are classified as ghost jobs. (https://www.greenhouse.com/blog/greenhouse-2024-state-of-job-hunting-report)
 
Clarify Capital reports that 68% of managers had job postings active for more than 30 days, and 50% of managers keep job postings open because they’re “always open to new people” (https://clarifycapital.com/job-seekers-beware-of-ghost-jobs-survey) 

While difficult to definitively determine, some indicators might suggest a job posting is not genuine. Look for these red flags before you hit “Apply”:
  
Job Posting Date Keeps Resetting: A role reposted for months is a warning sign.
 
Long-Standing Postings: Job ads that remain open for extended periods (months) may be ghost jobs, says FOX 13 Seattle.
 
Vague Descriptions: Generic or overly broad job descriptions lacking specific details about responsibilities or qualifications can be a red flag.
 
Lack of Salary Transparency: The vagueness of salary information could be a warning sign. In other words, a big gap between the low end and high end is a red flag. For example, compensation listed between $65,000 and $175,000 calls for suspicion.
 
Unrealistic Requirements: A laundry list of skills for an entry-level salary is often filler for a role they’re not serious about.
 
Lack of Urgency: The ad says “immediate hire,” but interviews are scheduled weeks away.
 
No Hiring Manager Listed: Legitimate jobs often name the department head or recruiter.

​It’s important to differentiate between ghost jobs posted by legitimate companies and outright job scams. While both are misleading, job scams often involve requesting sensitive personal information or payment up front. Always exercise caution and verify company information and job offers through official channels before sharing sensitive data or making any financial commitments.

You can’t eliminate ghost jobs, but you can waste less time on them:
 
Ask Before Applying: A quick LinkedIn message to the recruiter or hiring manager:

• “Hello [Name], I saw the [Job Title] posting. Would you please let me know if this role is actively interviewing right now?”

 

Focus on Fresh Postings: Apply to jobs less than 7 days old.
 
Track Company Patterns: If the same company keeps “hiring” for the same role but never responds, skip them.
 
Leverage Your Network: Internal referrals can confirm whether the role is real.
 
Diversify Your Search: Combine traditional job boards with networking events, LinkedIn connections, industry groups, and cold outreach to decision-makers.
 
Explore Freelance or Entrepreneurial Options: Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Etsy can keep income flowing while you search for the right opportunity.
 
If you want your applications to lead to real interviews:
 

• Search “actively hiring” or “urgent hire” in job board filters.
• Use LinkedIn’s “in your network” filter to prioritize companies where you know someone.
• Keep a spreadsheet to track responses and identify ghost job patterns.
• Follow industry-specific recruiters on LinkedIn; they’re more likely to share genuine openings.

In early 2025, 40% of jobs allowed some form of remote work, and hybrid roles rose from 9% of postings in 2023 to 24% in 2025. IT, communications, project management, and education remain top fields for legitimate remote roles.
 
Why this matters: Remote options can give you more real opportunities by widening the talent pool beyond your local area.

​Some governments are stepping in. Ontario, Canada, is crafting legislation to make HR ghosting illegal, requiring employers to update candidates after interviews or face fines.
 
In the US, New Jersey, Kentucky, and California have proposed or active bills aimed at reducing ghost job postings and improving hiring transparency. While it’s not yet nationwide, these measures could be the first step toward holding employers accountable.

​Ghost jobs are frustrating, but they don’t have to derail your job search. By spotting the warning signs, asking the right questions, and diversifying your strategy, you can avoid the fake job trap and focus your energy on opportunities that are real, active, and ready to hire.

Source: ​https://www.market-connections.net/blog/how-to-avoid-ghost-jobs