A backlash is brewing against ghost job ads. When one engineer encountered the seemingly fake postings, he organized a group to push legislation to curb their use. According to CNBC, almost 1 in every 5 jobs posted on an AI-powered hiring platform during the second quarter was for a role the business didn't intend to fill. The Truth in Job Advertising and Accountability Act, a federal law proposed by the group, would require postings to include such information as intended hire and start dates, and impose fines for infractions.
Ever apply to a posting that later 'disappears without a trace'? Yeah, that’s a 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘫𝘰𝘣.
Sometimes, companies post roles to collect resumes, test the market, and make it look like they’re growing even when they’re not.
So, if you feel like you're sending your resume out into a void sometimes. It’s not just you. It’s by design.
Here is how you can spot a ghost job before wasting your time:
1️⃣ The posting has been up for months with no activity.
2️⃣ The job gets reposted every few weeks with no updates.
3️⃣ The description is super vague (buzzwords galore, no real duties).
4️⃣ The role doesn’t exist on the company’s own careers page.
5️⃣ You notice multiple “identical” postings across different platforms.
Don’t sink hours into customizing your resume for a job that looks sketchy. Keep your energy for applications where the company (and role) feels real.
And, if you do apply to one, don't blame yourself. Posting jobs that don’t exist wastes candidates’ time, toys with their hope, and damages trust. It's up to the companies to do better. So, don't dwell. Just keep applying and moving forward.