Ghost jobs—job postings that remain open despite no real intention to hire—are a frustrating reality for job seekers. Many candidates spend hours tailoring resumes and cover letters only to never hear back. But how can companies legally post jobs they don’t intend to fill? Here’s an in-depth look at why ghost jobs exist, the legal loopholes that allow them, and what job seekers can do to avoid them.
Why Do Ghost Jobs Exist?
Companies post ghost jobs for a variety of reasons, including:
- Building a Resume Pipeline – Employers collect resumes to create a pool of potential candidates for future openings.
- Employer Branding – Keeping job listings open makes a company appear as if it’s growing and thriving, even if they aren't hiring.
- Market Research – Some companies post jobs to gauge salary expectations, workforce availability, or skill levels in the market.
- Internal Policy or Compliance – Some firms are required to post jobs externally, even if they plan to hire internally.
- Testing Internal Morale – Companies may use job postings to gauge employee retention by seeing how many current employees apply.
- Budget Justifications – Employers might post jobs to justify a larger department budget, even if hiring is not immediate.
Are Ghost Jobs Legal?
Yes, ghost jobs are generally legal, although they can be deceptive. Here’s why companies get away with it:
1. No Hiring Obligation
There is no law requiring a company to hire someone just because they posted a job. Employers can post and remove job listings at their discretion without any legal repercussions.
2. At-Will Hiring System
In most countries, especially the U.S., companies have complete control over hiring decisions. As long as job postings are not used to discriminate or violate employment laws, businesses can post jobs without any obligation to fill them.
3. Vague Job Posting Regulations
Labor laws focus on hiring fairness, non-discrimination, and workplace rights, but they rarely regulate the legitimacy of job postings themselves.
4. Data Collection Loophole
Some companies use job postings to gather applicant data for future use. While questionable ethically, there are no strong legal restrictions against it unless data privacy laws (such as GDPR in Europe) come into play.
How to Avoid Falling for Ghost Jobs
If you want to avoid wasting time on job postings that might not be real, follow these steps:
- Check Reviews on GhostHireWire – Before applying, see if other job seekers have flagged the company for ghost job postings.
- Look for Frequent or Continuous Postings – If the same job appears every few months but never results in hires, it may be a ghost job.
- Check the Company’s Website – If a job is only listed on third-party job boards but not on the company’s official site, it may not be legitimate.
- Reach Out to Recruiters – Contacting the hiring manager or HR can help determine if the job is actually open.
- Watch for Generic Listings – Extremely vague descriptions or lack of specific responsibilities may indicate a ghost posting.
- Use Job Alerts Sparingly – Automated job postings may not be manually reviewed, leading to outdated or inactive listings.
- Trust Your Instincts – If a job seems too good to be true or lacks employer engagement, move on to verified opportunities.
Take Action: Report Ghost Jobs on GhostHireWire
If you’ve encountered ghost jobs, don’t let other job seekers waste their time. Submit a review on GhostHireWire and help build a database of real hiring experiences. By sharing your insights, you can help expose deceptive hiring practices and make job searching more transparent for everyone.
Have you spotted a ghost job? Visit GhostHireWire today and share your experience!
