Ghost Jobs
what it means
Posted to build a candidate pipeline, project growth, or satisfy internal policy. Applicants get no reply because there was never a role.
Job adverts posted for roles that don't exist or aren't actually being filled.
the origin story
The term spread in 2022-2024 as candidates noticed the same listings reappearing for months with no outcome.
Several surveys of hiring managers found a meaningful share admitting to keeping listings open with no intention of hiring, which moved the phenomenon from suspicion to documented practice. It's now cited in discussions about why job-market data can overstate demand.
in the wild
That listing has been up since March.
Ghost job. They're not hiring.
Two hundred applications, four replies.
A lot of those roles don't exist.
how to use it
- Describing listings for non-existent roles
- Job-seeking conversations
- Discussing hiring practices
- About any role that took a long time to fill
- As an accusation without evidence
- Professionally without care
related terms
receipts
Community feedback
keep scrolling
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