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There are many obstacles you can encounter during your job search, including so-called “ghost” jobs.
These job listings may be fictitious job listings that do not exist, or they may be job listings that were posted so long ago that the position appears to be unavailable.
Fortunately, career experts say there are ways for job seekers to avoid the challenges of potential ghost jobs and increase their chances of landing a job.
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Ghost jobs are not a new phenomenon, but the hot pandemic-era job market has fueled some seemingly bad behavior.
For example, ghosting between job seekers and employers has become more common as both parties remain silent more frequently during the hiring process.
Recent labor market dynamics have also introduced terms such as “the great resignation,” “the quiet resignation” and “the loud resignation” into the collective lexicon. Pro coach Mandi Woodruff-Santos said the “interesting” new names belie the fact that these trends were already in place before the pandemic — though perhaps less common.
10% of positions are vacant for at least six months
Still, there appear to be many long-term vacant positions, creating a headache for job seekers.
For example, a basic search on LinkedIn revealed about 1.8 million jobs posted on the site more than a month ago, according to data provided Friday.
In 2022, 10% of recruiting managers said their job ads had been open for six months or more, according to A poll by Clarify Capital.
Jobs posted online for more than two months are “very likely” to be ghost jobs. wrote Aaron Case, Senior Content Writer at Resume Genius.
As a former hiring manager, Woodruff-Santos has seen firsthand how ghost jobs can exist: For example, a media company might advertise for both “senior editor” and “deputy editor” positions, even though in reality the company only has ” Advertisements for Senior Editor and Associate Editor positions. A job available.
The strategy helps companies expand the pool of talent they attract for each position, she said, although it creates a ghost job in the process.
Woodruff-Santos, founder of MandiMoney Makers, said it “takes time” for workers to apply online. It was “a super frustrating and scary experience in some cases.”
Recruiting challenges are also a culprit.
Recent ZipRecruiter poll For example, 57% of employers lack qualified candidates. The survey found that 41% were unable to fill a vacancy in the past six months because the candidate wanted a salary beyond what the business could offer.
Employers may also leave “dead-end” posts online to let people know their company is growing and to collect resumes for future job openings, Case said.
“Secrets to Job Hunting”
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As a firewall, workers who see an attractive listing on an online job aggregation site should check to make sure the ad is also listed on the employer’s dedicated online job portal, Case said. Additionally, if the company is still hiring, it may have recently posted about the position on social media, he said.
Woodruff-Santos said that in some cases, it may still make sense for job seekers to apply online for positions that were posted months ago, especially for candidates who are particularly interested in a position for which they are a good fit.
She said this is because the recruitment process may be prolonged due to a lack of qualified applicants, or applicants may be contacted later if there are vacancies.
However, she said applying online only “scratches the surface” when it comes to maximizing your chances of finding a new job.
She adds that building relationships is the most powerful tool a job candidate can use.
This might be tapping into connections such as friends, family, former colleagues, and others who can recommend you to future managers at the company; or placing yourself in settings such as conferences, parties, seminars, and trainings to meet people who may be current or future employees. You provide opportunities to people.
“It’s about putting yourself in a place where you can be lucky enough to meet someone on the elevator who might know someone,” Woodruff-Santos said. “That’s the secret to finding a job,” she adds.
“Your real goal should be to build such a good reputation and build so many relationships in your industry that people come to you before you even need a job,” she says.
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