Job seekers world-wide are faced with a growing problem that involves companies posting job openings that don’t exist. Known as “ghost jobs”, these imaginary opportunities are causing people to waste time and energy applying for work they’ll never get. Why would any company post about a job when they aren’t actively hiring? That is a very good question. 

Apparently, the companies that are in the habit of creating realistic ads for job openings that don’t exist do so for various reason. To build a talent pool, for market research, and to increase revenue. It makes sense that a large company may want to know where the talent is. Yet, when someone applies for a job, they are either unemployed, underemployed, or actively seeking a better situation. They get their hopes up with every cover letter and resumé sent. How can anyone think that posting about a fake job opening is morally acceptable?

Many of these companies go as far as to interview candidates for these fake positions. They believe they are conducting valuable market research into salary and talent availability, but their insights come at the expense of someone’s mental and emotional well-being. How would you feel if you were the job seeker? You applied for a job, were called about the job, then interviewed for said job. It would be reasonable for you to believe that a job existed, and that you had a chance to land it. You’d be excited and feel hopeful. If you weren’t the best candidate, you would expect a rejection letter and some closure. 

In the case of “ghost jobs”, most applicants apply without getting any feedback – whether they landed a pretend interview or not. Management at the companies that regularly post fake job listings don’t think they’re doing anything wrong. Their ads result in increased revenue so why would they ever stop. Currently 30% of all online job openings don’t exist. It’s a terrible time for anyone to be out of work.