Job seekers face rising prevalence of ghost job listings
A recent survey indicates that 86% of job hunters have encountered non-existent openings, forcing applicants to adopt new verification strategies.
A survey of 1,011 adults by ResumeBuilder.com reveals that ghost jobs—listings for positions that are not currently active or intended to be filled—have become a common hurdle in the current labor market. Approximately 36% of respondents reported spending at least four hours applying for roles they later concluded were not legitimate, while 58% participated in interviews for positions they suspected were not real.
Candidates are increasingly forced to scrutinize listings for signs of inactivity, such as postings that remain open for extended periods or roles that are repeatedly removed and reposted. To mitigate the risk of wasting time, 34% of seekers now verify the original posting date, while 32% cross-reference listings against corporate career portals.
The trend has prompted legislative action, with New York state authorities recently passing measures to restrict the practice. Experts advise applicants to remain cautious of unsolicited interview requests and to research whether a job opening aligns with the company's broader business objectives before committing time to the application process.