Ghost Jobs: The Rising Concern in US, UK and Germany Job Markets
Ghost jobs refer to vacancies advertised but which do not actually exist; these ads may either have been filled already or never intended to be offered. This problem affects job markets in the US, UK, and Germany.
A Greenhouse study reveals that up to 22% of online job advertisements across these countries have no genuine intent to hire, while a separate UK study suggests the figure could be as high as 34%.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics data for August shows there were 7.2 million vacancies but only 5.1 million hires, highlighting a significant discrepancy.
In response, Eric Thompson in the US is advocating for The Truth in Job Advertising & Accountability Act, which calls for listing expirations, auditable records, and penalties for false ads. His petition has garnered over 50,000 signatures, and both New Jersey and California are considering bans on ghost job postings.
Meanwhile, Ontario, Canada, will require from January 1 onward that employers disclose whether an advertised vacancy is actively being filled. Additionally, firms with more than 25 employees must respond to interviewed candidates within 45 days, though enforcement concerns remain.
In contrast, the UK currently has no legal requirement to reply to candidates nor announced measures to tackle ghost jobs or recruitment ghosting.
Experts suggest ghost postings may be used to create artificial talent pools, inflate reported growth, or enable data sales. These misleading ads distort labour-market data and affect policy-making.
Jobseekers are advised to network directly with hiring managers and remain vigilant for red flags such as repeated postings or positions that remain open for long periods.
