Prevalence and Impact of Ghost Jobs in Online Job Listings
Ghost jobs are vacancies advertised without the intent to hire or that may have never existed. Studies conducted across the US, UK, and Germany found that up to 22% of online job advertisements had no genuine intent to fill the position, with a UK-specific study reporting the figure as high as 34%.
Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated there were 7.2 million vacancies in August compared to 5.1 million hires, highlighting a discrepancy that ghost jobs may partly explain. In response, US-based job seeker Eric Thompson formed a working group advocating for The Truth in Job Advertising & Accountability Act. The proposed legislation would include measures such as requiring expiration dates on job ads, maintaining auditable hiring records, and imposing penalties for misleading postings. His petition has garnered over 50,000 signatures.
Ontario, Canada, has introduced regulations effective January 1 requiring employers to disclose whether an advertised vacancy is actively being filled. Additionally, firms with more than 25 employees must respond to candidates interviewed within 45 days. In contrast, there is currently no legal obligation in the UK to respond to applicants, nor are there active initiatives targeting ghost job vacancies.
Several reasons are cited for ghost postings, including creating a talent pool, inflating company growth metrics, and collecting or selling applicant data. Experts warn that ghost jobs can distort labor market data and affect policy decisions. Furthermore, such postings can damage job seekers’ confidence and mental health.
Job seekers are advised to network directly with hiring managers and remain vigilant for red flags such as repeated postings for the same role or listings that remain open for extended periods.
