QUOTE “Ghost jobs,” or ads for positions that aren’t actually open, are a common phenomenon in the tech industry … these fake jobs posted by real companies serve multiple, sometimes insidious purposes.
According to a 2024 survey from MyPerfectResume, 81% of recruiters admitted to posting ads for positions that were fake or already filled. While some respondents said employers did it to maintain a presence on job boards and build a talent pool, it’s also used to commit psychological warfare: 25% said ghost jobs helped companies gauge how replaceable their employees were, while 23% said it helped make the company appear more stable during a hiring freeze. Another damning 2024 report from Resume Builder said that 62% companies posted them specifically to make their employees feel replaceable.
Nasty
And if they force the applicants to fill out the salary requirements portion of the application, they get data they can use to argue against raises as well.
It’s gross, fraudulent as three-card monte, and … as with many corporate tricksters … there needs to be a law with prison terms.
I have totally seen job postings at places I work and asked HR or management if I can refer someone I know…and they tell me they aren’t actually hiring for it.
Kinda fucked up.
Really messed up when some of us are looking for work. 😔
