What Are Ghost Jobs?
Known as the labour market version of catfishing, ghost jobs are becoming an increasingly prevalent problem in the workplace. These are job listings that appear legitimate but are not actively hiring, leading to frustration and wasted effort for job seekers.
A Personal Experience with Ghost Jobs
I read Work Therapy on the subject of writing cover letters last week and sympathised with the reader. I am tearing my hair out trying to find a job. I must have submitted 35 applications over the past six months and have heard back from just two companies. TWO! If I’m not what a company is looking for, fine. But the silence after I apply is crushing.
I was ranting to a friend about it, and they told me I was likely applying for a lot of ghost jobs. I had never heard of such a thing before and, when my friend told me about them, I was shocked. Why do they exist and do you have any advice for avoiding them?
Why Ghost Jobs Exist
Ghost jobs can stem from various reasons, such as companies keeping listings open to gather resumes for future needs, test the market, or maintain an appearance of growth. This practice can mislead job seekers and contribute to the challenges in the job search process.
Tips to Avoid Ghost Jobs
To steer clear of ghost jobs, focus on applying to roles from reputable companies with clear hiring timelines. Research the employer, look for recent activity or updates on job postings, and leverage networking to get insider information on genuine openings. Staying informed can help you target real opportunities and reduce application fatigue.
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