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Cracking the Code Of Ghost Job Postings
Ghost job postings have become a concerning and frustrating trend for job seekers. It not only creates a false sense of hope but also wastes so much of their time. If you’ve already optimized your resume and customized it for job after job application but you’re wondering why there’s little to no progress, this may be one of the reasons why.
The job market is really tough right now, especially in the tech sector. In 2023, Layoffs.fyi tracked nearly 1,200 tech companies that held layoffs which included nearly 263k employees impacted. That is a lot of people flooding the job market especially in the tech space and I found myself in their company at the start of 2024. But I had been considering options for well over a year and began noticing something odd. The same job listings continue to show up for the better part of a year or the same job posting keeps getting reposted. I’ve come to learn that it’s called ghost job postings. These are positions that companies are not actively looking to fill but are posted to attract candidates. According to this Forbes article, Clarify Capital surveyed 1000 hiring managers in October of 2023 and discovered that 50% of hiring managers created job openings to keep a warm talent pool “at the ready” for when they are hiring without the intention to hire.
Ghost job postings have become a concerning and frustrating trend for job seekers. It not only creates a false sense of hope but also wastes so much of their time. If you’ve already optimized your resume and customized it for job after job application but you’re wondering why there’s little to no progress, this may be one of the reasons why.
Why would companies employ such a disingenuous recruitment tactic?
- These reasons may frustrate you but here they are.
To keep a refreshed pool of candidates for future openings - To keep current employees motivated in giving false hope that more help is coming for an understaffed team
- To give the false impression that the company is still growing
- Just for show as stakeholders may see a lack of hiring as a red flag for businesses
Take Back Control
So what can those in the job market do? If you want to protect your time and energy, here’s are some tactics to spot and avoid applying to ghost job postings:
- The length of time a job posting has been open can be an indicator. Jobs that have been up for more than 30 days are more likely to be ghost jobs
- A role that has a very low salary for the skills and experience they’re asking for, can be intentional and the company is not willing to pay the market rate for the talent they want because they don’t intend to fill the position
- If a role has been posted multiple times, but they never seem to fill it, there is a reason
Navigate the Job Market With Intention
Here are some things you can do to be more resourceful navigating this job market.
- Track a company’s history. Find out if a company has done a lay-off but has open job posting. Layoffs.fyi does a great job of covering layoffs in the tech space, including how many people were laid off, what percentage of that workforce they were. Use the info as context to determine if the job posting is more likely real or if it’s just there for show
- Stay informed by using websites such as Glassdoor or Comparably to see how people have rated the interview process and their experience with the company
- The number one way to increase your chances of landing an interview is networking. About 90% of the folks I know that have been laid off in the past two years, are seeing the most progress by using their network. And people out there want to help regardless of whether you’ve been in regular touch or not. If you see a job posting you are really interested in but don’t know anyone there, find people that work at the company and reach out with a message. Be thoughtful in your note and while not everyone will respond but you just need one.
Stay Resilient
In the current job market, where ghost job postings have become an unfortunate reality, it’s tough but so important to stay resilient and optimistic. Despite the frustrations posed by misleading postings, consider them as temporary setbacks in a larger cycle of opportunities. We can’t control these tactics but we can be smarter about navigating through it. Focus on staying connected within your professional network. So, keep pushing forward, stay informed, and trust that your persistence will pay off in the evolving cycles of the job market.
For young professionals starting their corporate careers, investing in professional development is not just an option; it is a necessity. By committing to continuous learning, expanding networks, and honing skills, you empower yourself to navigate the challenges of the corporate world successfully. Professional development offers a competitive edge, builds confidence, and fosters adaptability, positioning you for long-term career growth and fulfillment. Embrace the journey of lifelong learning and seize every opportunity to invest in your professional development—it’s a transformative investment in yourself and your future success.
About Thuy Petersen and Client Compass Consulting
I’m a corporate marketing professional with 20+ years experience in advertising and ad tech.
As someone who understands how challenging it can be breaking into the corporate without the support and resources needed, my passion is now helping young professionals harness the skills and tools they need in order to future proof their careers with CONFIDENCE and EASE.
My mission is to break down the barriers to success!
