Are Ghost Postings Haunting Your Career Search

Companies are posting phony job listings—are they’re benefiting from it?

For those searching for their next job, ghost posting, or the practice of posting fake or non-existent job listings, has become a growing challenge in today’s job market. As highlighted in a recent survey by ResumeBuilder.com, nearly 40 percent of companies admitted to this tactic, often driven by intentions that mislead both current employees and job seekers.

What is Ghost Posting? Ghost posting refers to job listings posted by companies without a real intention to hire. These postings appear on job boards and company websites but serve purposes other than filling an open position. Instead, they are sometimes used to make current employees feel replaceable, project the image of a growing company, or build a pipeline of potential candidates for future roles.

Survey Highlights Impact of Ghost Posting

The survey, which gathered insights from over 1,600 hiring managers, sheds light on the motivations behind these misleading practices. Companies reported that they post these ghost listings to build a sustainable talent pipeline, promote openness to external talent, suggest business growth, and to build a resume portfolio for future hiring needs. Nearly half of these ghost listings appear on popular job boards like Indeed, Zip Recruiter, Monster and Career Builder, where they often remain active for months.

Often these ghost positions are not simply placeholders.  In this survey, 39% of hiring managers said they generally contact applicants for ghost roles, while 45% sometimes reach out. Additionally, over 80% of employers admit to interviewing candidates for positions they have no intent to fill or may not currently exist.  It is good practice for companies and hiring managers to build a network and engage potential candidates.  This approach helps establish and robust external talent pipeline.

For a person in career search, this practice can be troubling, as it can lead job seekers into a cycle of false hope and wasted effort if the company is not transparent with the status of the position. For those navigating the job market, it emphasizes the importance of researching companies and potentially managing expectations when applying to roles listed on job boards.

How to Avoid Falling for Ghost Job Listings

If you’re on the job hunt, here are some proactive steps to help you navigate and avoid falling for ghost job listings:

1. Research the Company. Before applying, research the company to get a sense of its hiring practices. Look for recent news about the company’s growth, projects, or changes in leadership. Sometimes, companies experiencing layoffs or stagnation may use ghost listings to create an illusion of stability and growth.
2. Check for Multiple Postings of the Same Role. Repeated listings for the same role over a long period can be a red flag. While this might indicate a high-turnover position, it can also signify a ghost listing intended to collect resumes rather than to fill a position.
3. Network and Reach Out. Use LinkedIn or other professional networks to connect with current or former employees of the company. Politely ask about the company's hiring practices or if they know about the advertised position. Employees are often aware if a job listing is real or part of a company’s ongoing strategy to collect resumes.
4. Informational Interviewing. Like networking, look to make connections with someone in a similar role, the company, or in the same field of interest to gain insights into their experience, challenges, and advice. To conduct one effectively, reach out with a clear, polite message, prepare thoughtful questions, and focus on learning rather than asking for a job.
5. Look for Specific Job Details. Vague job descriptions without clear responsibilities, requirements, or expectations can signal a ghost listing. Legitimate roles typically include specific details about daily tasks, skills needed, and what the company expects from candidates. If the posting is generic or missing this information, proceed with caution.
6. Be Mindful of Job Boards. Since ResumeBuilder’s survey highlighted that traditional job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor were among the most used platforms for ghost listings, consider exploring other avenues as well, like LinkedIn, industry-specific job boards, or a company's direct website. Applying directly through a company’s career page is often more reliable.
7. Ask Questions During the Process If you advance to an interview stage, ask pointed questions about the role, such as the urgency of filling it, the team structure, and what success in the position looks like. These inquiries can help reveal if the company has a genuine need for the role.
8. Stay Alert to Interview Red Flags Be cautious if interviewers seem vague about job details, the hiring timeline, or responsibilities. If they’re unclear about the role’s objectives or cannot provide specifics on when the position might be filled, it could indicate that the job isn't a priority—or even real.
9. Limit Personal Information Provided Early Be wary of sharing excessive personal information in the early stages of applying. Ghost job listings may sometimes be used to collect data on applicants without any hiring intent. Providing a resume is standard but avoid submitting sensitive information until you’ve verified the position.

Using these strategies can help you make informed choices and avoid the pitfalls of ghost listings, which are increasingly prevalent. By being cautious and diligent in your application process, you can protect your time and focus on genuine opportunities.

How LAK Group Supports Career Advancement

Our career development programs focus on building key skills that foster adaptability, resilience, and forward-thinking—qualities essential for long-term success. Through targeted training, personalized mentorship, and hands-on learning, LAK Group prepares professionals to confidently tackle challenges, lead with innovation, and drive lasting impact within their organizations.

What Sets Us Apart By investing in our programs, you’re not just preparing for your next role; you’re building a career with a foundation of skills and insights that will serve you through every transition and market shift. LAK Group empowers individuals to:

• Embrace Change: We help you develop the mindset and tools needed to approach challenges with agility, turning potential setbacks into growth opportunities.
• Lead with Purpose: Gain the confidence to inspire others, fostering a culture of adaptability and resilience in every team and organization you lead.
• Drive Innovation: We emphasize creative problem-solving and strategic thinking, ensuring you’re always ready to propel your organization forward.

Let LAK Group be your partner in career advancement. Together, we’ll cultivate the skills, mindset, and leadership that empower you to approach the future with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Transform your career with LAK Group, where today’s leaders become tomorrow’s trailblazers.

You can also get career advice through our book, Career With Purpose.