The Increasing Presence of Ghost Jobs And Tips To Spot Them During Your Job Search

February 7, 2025 –

By Ethan Sympson

If you’ve been job hunting in recent years, you’ve likely come across your fair share of fake job listings. But these aren’t just scams run by shady companies—many legitimate businesses in the U.S. are also posting what are now known as ghost jobs. But why? Employers are increasingly launching these misleading job postings on platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job boards. In this article, we’ll break down what ghost jobs are, why companies use them, and how you can spot them—so you can navigate your job search more effectively.

What Is A Ghost Job?

A ghost job is a job posting where the employer has no immediate intention of filling the role. These listings have become increasingly common on job boards for various reasons, such as building a pipeline of future candidates, creating the illusion of company growth, or assessing the current talent pool. With the increasingly competitive job market in 2025, ghost jobs have become more prevalent. Some candidates even go through interviews for roles that were never intended to be filled, adding to the frustration of job seekers navigating today’s hiring landscape.

Let’s look at the numbers:

40% of companies posted a fake job listing this year (Source)
3 in 10 companies currently have active fake listings (Source)
70% of hiring managers believe posting fake jobs is morally acceptable (Source)
43% of businesses wanted to give the impression their company was growing (Source)
1 in 5 hiring managers had no plans to fill the posted job anytime soon (Source)

Why Do Businesses Post Ghost Jobs?

While ghost job postings are frustrating for job seekers, understanding why businesses use them can help candidates navigate the job market more strategically. Companies use them for a variety of reasons. While they can indicate company growth and help maintain an active pipeline of candidates, there are several other motivations behind these postings. Here are some of the most common reasons why employers use ghost jobs:

Building a Talent Pipeline – Companies keep job postings up to collect resumes and maintain a pool of potential candidates for future openings.
Assessing Market Talent – Employers use ghost jobs to gauge the availability and quality of talent in the job market before making hiring decisions.
Creating the Illusion of Growth – Some businesses post fake openings to appear as if they are expanding, which can boost investor and customer confidence.
Fulfilling Internal Hiring Policies – Large companies sometimes post jobs to meet compliance requirements, even if they already have an internal candidate in mind.
Anticipating Future Needs – Businesses in seasonal industries or those expecting growth may post jobs in advance to ensure they have candidates ready when needed.
Testing Salary Benchmarks – Some employers use job postings to see what compensation ranges attract the most applicants, helping them adjust their salary offers.
Avoiding Job Board Penalties – Many job boards favor companies that post frequently, so businesses keep listings live to maintain visibility.
Evergreen Hiring – Businesses with high turnover roles, such as customer service and warehouse positions, have long kept job postings up to ensure a steady pipeline of candidates.

A Quick History of Ghost Jobs and Their Rise

Ghost jobs aren’t new by any means. For decades, companies have used job postings strategically, even when they weren’t actively hiring. The rise of ghost jobs in recent years has been driven by shifting economic conditions and changes in hiring practices:

Pandemic-Era Hiring Shifts (2020-2022) – Many companies over-hired during periods of rapid economic recovery, then scaled back, leaving job listings up without real hiring intent.
The Tech Layoff Cycle (2023-Present) – Mass layoffs, particularly in tech, created uncertainty, leading some businesses to post jobs as a safety net while delaying actual hires.
AI and Automated Job Listings – Many companies now use software that reposts jobs automatically to keep an active hiring presence, even if there are no open positions.
Economic Uncertainty & Caution (2024-2025) – With concerns about inflation and recession risks, companies are more cautious about committing to hires but still want access to strong talent pools.

Today, ghost jobs have become more noticeable, especially as job seekers invest time into applications and even interviews for roles that may never be filled. This has led to growing frustration and skepticism in the job market. While businesses continue to use these listings for strategic reasons, awareness is growing among candidates, making it increasingly important to spot and navigate ghost job postings wisely.

Spotting Ghost Jobs – Tips For Jobs Seekers

Ghost job postings can be frustrating and time-consuming, but knowing how to spot them can save you effort and help you focus on real opportunities. Here are some key signs that a job posting may be a ghost job—and what you can do about it.

The Job Has Been Posted for Months

If a job listing has been up for an extended period without updates or reposts, it may be a ghost job. Some companies leave listings active indefinitely to collect resumes, even when they have no immediate hiring needs.

Check the job posting date—if it’s been live for months, it may not be a real opening.
Look at company reviews to see if others mention prolonged job listings.
See if the listing has been reposted without changes—this can be a red flag.

No Real Urgency in the Hiring Process

When a company is actively hiring, they typically move candidates through the process quickly. If you apply and don’t hear back for weeks—or get generic responses with no clear next steps—the position may not actually be open.

Pay attention to response times—long delays can signal a ghost job.
Ask the recruiter about next steps and expected timelines.
If you receive automated or vague responses, the role may not be real.

The Job Is Always Open for the Same Position

If you notice a company repeatedly posting the same job every few months, it may be an evergreen or ghost job. Some companies do this to build a talent pool rather than to fill an immediate need.

Look at the company’s job postings history—is the same role always listed?
Check LinkedIn or employee reviews to see if people mention hiring delays.
If the job is constantly listed but never filled, it could be a fake posting.

Vague or Generic Job Descriptions

Ghost jobs often have recycled, vague, or overly broad descriptions that don’t provide specifics about daily responsibilities, reporting structures, or expectations.

Look for detailed job duties—if it’s too general, that’s a red flag.
See if qualifications and skills are clear or just broad industry terms.
If the same wording appears in multiple job listings, it may be a template posting.

Job Postings on Multiple Job Boards but No Updates

Legitimate job openings typically appear on a company’s official careers page and select job boards. However, ghost jobs may be mass-posted across multiple platforms with no updates.

Check if the job is listed on the company’s official website—if not, be cautious.
See if there are differences in the job description across platforms.
If a listing has been up for months without changes, it may not be active.

You Interview but Never Receive a Decision

Some companies conduct interviews for positions they don’t intend to fill. If you go through multiple interview rounds but never receive a firm rejection or offer, it’s possible the job was never real.

If weeks go by with no follow-up, consider moving on.
Ask for specific hiring timelines—if they dodge the question, be wary.
If a company keeps rescheduling or delaying, they may not be serious about hiring.

The Company Is Always “Collecting Resumes”

If a recruiter or hiring manager tells you they are “always accepting applications” or “keeping your resume on file,” but they don’t seem to have an actual role available, this could be a ghost job.

Ask if the position is currently open or if they’re just gathering candidates.
If they say they’ll “reach out when a role opens,” press for a timeline.
If you see the same job posted for months with no hires, it’s likely not real.

Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off about a job listing—whether it’s the wording, lack of urgency, or an unresponsive recruiter—it’s okay to move on.

If a job seems too good to be true, it might be.
If communication is vague or inconsistent, trust your gut.
Focus on companies that show clear hiring intent and respect candidates’ time.

Strategies And Resources to Avoid Ghost Jobs

Research the Company’s Hiring Practices

- Visit the company’s official careers page to see if the job is listed there.
- Check Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or employee forums for hiring trends and reviews.
- Look at recent hires on LinkedIn to see if similar roles were filled.

Use Job Boards That Flag Stale Listings

- LinkedIn Jobs – Shows when a job was posted and if it’s still active.
- Indeed – Offers an “employer responsiveness” rating based on past activity.
- ZipRecruiter – Marks when employers view applications.

Engage Directly With Recruiters

- Call or email the company’s HR department to confirm the job is still open.
- Connect with current employees on LinkedIn and ask about hiring status.
- Look for recruiters who actively engage with candidates (vs. automated responses).

Avoid Jobs That Require Multiple Reapplications

- If a company repeatedly asks you to reapply for the same role, it may be a ghost job.
- Ask recruiters how many people have interviewed and if there’s a set hiring timeline.

Avoid Ghost Jobs And Get Placed With Starboard

Tired of applying to endless ghost jobs with no response? Starboard can help you land a real opportunity—fast. Our expert recruiting team works with a wide network of prequalified businesses to match you with a role where you can start succeeding right away. Don’t waste time on jobs that don’t exist—reach out today and let us help you find your next great opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions – Ghost Jobs

How Do I Know If A Job Listing Is A Ghost Job?

Spotting a ghost job requires looking for key warning signs. If a job posting has been active for months without updates, lacks specific details, or repeatedly appears without any reports of actual hires, it may not be a real opening.

Check out our full list of tips for spotting ghost jobs in the above sections.

Is Posting Ghost Jobs Illegal?

No, posting ghost jobs is not technically illegal, but it can be considered misleading and unethical. Companies are generally allowed to post job listings even if they have no immediate intention of hiring. While not illegal in most cases, ghost job postings can damage a company’s reputation and discourage qualified candidates from applying in the future.

What Are Common Ghost Jobs?

Ghost jobs can be found in almost any industry, but certain types of roles tend to be posted more frequently without actual hiring intent. Common examples include:

Evergreen Roles – Positions like customer service representatives, warehouse associates, or entry-level sales jobs that companies always accept applications for, even if no immediate openings exist.
Executive & Senior Roles – Some companies post high-level management jobs to attract top talent or to make the company appear as if it’s expanding.
Tech & IT Positions – Roles in software development, cybersecurity, and data analytics are often posted by companies looking to gauge industry talent without actively hiring.
“Future Hiring” Postings – Businesses expecting growth may post jobs in advance but delay hiring until they are financially or operationally ready.

While ghost jobs exist in various industries, job seekers can protect their time by looking for real, active opportunities and being cautious about vague or overly persistent job postings.