“Ghost jobs,” or job postings for positions that aren’t actually open, have become a widespread concern in today’s job market, particularly for recently laid-off workers in industries like technology, according to a scary new report (that just happens to fall on Halloween, bwah ha ha). And, no joke, it likens the phenomenon of ghost listings to “psychological warfare.”

‘Ghost jobs’ are on the rise and some serve nefarious purposes

Ghost job listings often appear on platforms like LinkedIn, featuring suspiciously broad salary ranges and attracting hundreds or thousands of applicants, despite not being posted on companies’ official websites, according to SFGate.com (and also echoed in a brief explainer in The Guardian). The practice is especially prevalent in the tech industry, which has experienced significant layoffs and budget cuts in recent years. Recruiters and career coaches warn that these fake listings posted by legitimate companies — though Apple isn’t named anywhere — serve multiple purposes, some potentially harmful to job seekers and current employees alike.

Widespread practice among recruiters

The scope of the problem may surprise you. The report noted that a 2024 MyPerfectResume survey revealed that 81% of recruiters admitted to posting fake or already-filled positions. While some use these listings to maintain visibility on job boards and build talent pools, more concerning motivations exist. About a quarter of respondents said they used ghost jobs to make current employees feel replaceable, while 23% used them to project stability during hiring freezes.

Even more troubling, a 2024 Resume Builder report found that 62% of companies specifically posted fake listings to create anxiety among their workforce about job security. Some companies even used these postings to deceive overworked employees into believing help was coming to reduce their workload.

The impact on job seekers is significant. Career coach Irene Nexica, who experienced a layoff in 2023, noted that candidates already invest considerable time customizing applications and researching companies. The additional burden of verifying job legitimacy further strains job seekers.

And deeply entrenched among employers

The practice appears deeply entrenched in corporate culture, too. Resume Builder’s research, which surveyed 1,641 hiring managers, found that 40% of employers posted fake listings in 2024, with three in ten having active ghost jobs posted. These decisions typically originate from HR departments, followed by senior management and executives, with LinkedIn and company websites being the primary platforms for these listings.

John Lovig, a veteran recruiter and career coach, described an especially problematic practice in tech industry recruiting: posting senior-level positions solely to network and make business connections. Recruiters might schedule interviews for nonexistent executive positions, then attempt to sell their recruiting services to the candidates.

Job-search tips for tech workers

Career experts recommend several strategies to navigate this challenging landscape:

• Prioritize networking even when not actively job hunting.
• Create original online content to increase visibility.
• Develop personal connections at target companies to verify job legitimacy.
• Apply directly through company websites when possible.
• Cross-reference job postings across multiple platforms.

Despite growing awareness of these deceptive practices, ghost jobs appear likely to persist. As Resume Builder’s chief career adviser Stacie Haller noted, it’s particularly concerning when HR departments, which should be building trust, engage in such misleading practices.

Read more in SFGate.com‘s lengthy report.