A career expert shares how consumers can tell the real from the fake
Have you ever gone to apply to a job, only to find out the posting was fake or the position was already filled? Then, youve been on the receiving end of a ghost job.
This term has taken over the employment industry, and a recent survey from MyPerfectResume has diveddeep into how this practice is affecting consumers job searches. One of the biggest takeaways from the survey: over 80% of job recruiters admit to posting ghost jobs.
Jasmine Escalera, a career expert, has shared her insights with ConsumerAffairs to help readers better spot the telltale signs of a ghost job, how this will impact their job search, and how to overcome fake job postings.
This practice erodes trust in companies and the recruitment process, Escalera told ConsumerAffairs. As job seekers become more aware of ghost jobs, they may start to view certain companies or job boards as unreliable, which can damage a companys reputation.
In addition, the sheer volume of ghost job postings can create inefficiencies in the market, making it harder for job seekers and employers to connect with legitimate roles and candidates. Ultimately, this practice prolongs job searches and creates significant stress, undermining confidence in the job market.
What are the signs of a fake job ad?
While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to spotting a ghost job ad, Escalera has shared a few signs consumers can look for when theyre on the job hunt. She said:
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Vague descriptions that dont clearly define the roles responsibilities, daily tasks, required skills, and expectations
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Overly generic ads that lack detail
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Desired qualifications that dont match the scope of the position entry-level roles that require several years of experience or advanced certifications that arent relevant.
A major sign of a ghost job is when a posting stays up for weeks or even months without being filled, Escalera explained. This is especially true in todays job market, where many positions receive hundreds of applications within hours or days of being posted. This could indicate that the role is not actively hiring and may be a ghost job.
Additionally, fake job ads may not have clear company information, such as a valid website, contact details, or a direct person to contact. If these details are missing or suspicious, it is worth investigating more.
Why are ghost jobs so popular?
With over 80% of recruiters admitting to posting ghost jobs, there are some things consumers should know about this growing trend.
Of that group, 36% said that one-quarter of their job postings are fake, while over 21% say that half of their job postings are fake.
Why has this trend become so popular? Heres a breakdown of the most popular answers:
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38% said to test the markets response to hard-to-fill positions
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38% said to maintain a presence on job boards when they arent hiring
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36% said to assess the effectiveness of their job descriptions
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26% said to build the talent pool for future job openings
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26% said to gain insights into the current job market and potential competitors
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25% said to assess how difficult it would be to replace certain employees
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23% said to make the company look better during a hiring freeze
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20% said to improve the companys reputation
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14% said to improve the companys visibility online
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12% said to collect resumes en masse
How tocombat ghost job postings?
For consumers actively searching and applying for jobs, Escalera shared her best advice to steer clear of ghost job postings.
Job seekers can actively avoid ghost jobs by doing their due diligence and researching companies and job postings, she said. Networking is a great way to get insider information about job postings and understand what is truly available at a company, potentially helping to avoid ghost jobs.
Looking at reviews on websites like Glassdoor can also provide insight into the hiring practices of a company, which could indicate if they dabble in posting ghost jobs.
Another strategy is to verify the availability of a position directly on the companys website, especially if the posting was found on an external job site like Indeed or LinkedIn. Companies may have more accurate and up-to-date information on their own career pages, helping job seekers avoid falling for non-existent roles.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-10-14 01:25:51
