1 in 5 Online Job Postings Deemed Fake or Unfilled, Reveals Study
The elusive “ghost jobs” continue to frustrate job seekers across digital platforms.
Searching for employment has become increasingly daunting, with job portals often leading applicants into an abyss of uncertainty. According to a recent study highlighted by The Wall Street Journal, data from Greenhouse—a leading hiring platform—shows that approximately 18% to 22% of online job listings are either fictitious or remain unoccupied. This data is derived from Greenhouse’s internal systems, which facilitate the creation of automated job postings.
The Ghost Job Phenomenon
The unsettling trend of ghost jobs, where positions appear non-existent, is reportedly a strategic maneuver by corporations. Analysts suggest that businesses might post these listings to project a facade of expansion, as noted in Fast Company reports. This tactic allows companies to maintain an image of growth, aiding corporate leaders in achieving quarterly objectives while subtly circumventing the negative connotations of reducing job availability.
Furthermore, Forbes comments that such practices inflate the perceived number of job openings, leading to prolonged job searches that aggravate job seekers.
Verification Measures
To curb the proliferation of phantom job postings, platforms like Greenhouse and LinkedIn have introduced job verification services. These measures aim to discern legitimate job opportunities from potential misinformation, offering some solace to beleaguered job seekers. Jon Stross, Greenhouse’s president and co-founder, described the job market scenario as a “horror show,” underscoring the increasingly disheartening nature of modern job searching.