Spotting 'Ghost Jobs': 5 Red Flags an Opening Isn’t Real
How to use application tracking and research to identify 'evergreen' postings that aren't actually hiring.
You apply. You wait. You hear nothing.
It might not be your resume. It might be a "Ghost Job"—a listing that remains open even though the company has no intention of hiring. In 2024, reports suggest up to 50% of active listings might be ghost jobs.
Companies leave them up to collect resumes for "future needs," to give the appearance of growth to investors, or because they simply forgot to take them down.
5 Red Flags to Watch For
Don't waste your time on a role that doesn't exist. Check for these signs:
1. Posted 30+ Days Ago
If a job has been up for a month without a repost, it's stale. Most serious roles are filled or advanced within 2-3 weeks.
2. The "Evergreen" Title
Generic titles like "Software Engineer - All Levels" or "Sales Representative (Nationwide)" are often just data harvesting operations. They are always hiring, but never hiring now.
3. Reposted Every Monday
If you see the same job reposted automatically every week, it's likely a bot setting. It doesn't mean there's a new opening.
4. Vague Requirements
Real jobs have specific problems to solve. Ghost jobs have copy-pasted lists of requirements that look like they haven't been updated in years.
5. Career Page Mismatch
Does the job exist on LinkedIn but not on the company's own careers page? That's a huge red flag. Always verify on the source.
How to Verify Before You Apply
- Check LinkedIn Insights: See if the company's headcount is actually growing.
- Find the Recruiter: If a specific recruiter is listed, check their activity. Did they post about this role recently?
- Reach Out: A quick message to a current employee ("Hey, I saw this role open, is the team actively interviewing?") can save you hours.
Actionable Insight
Use an application tracker like ApplyLabs to log when you applied. If you notice a trend of "Ghosting" from certain companies or for certain types of titles (e.g., "Evergreen"), stop applying to them. Focus your energy on roles posted in the last 7 days.