Ghost Jobs and How to Spot Them
If you’ve been hunting for remote work lately, you may have encountered listings that feel... off.
Welcome to the world of ghost jobs. Ads that look real but don’t lead anywhere. They’re everywhere, and wasting time on them can drain your energy. Let’s clear the fog, help you spot them fast, and reorient you toward real opportunities that actually matter.
What Are “Ghost Jobs”?
Ghost jobs are listings for roles that either don’t exist or have already been filled, either way, the employer has no intention of hiring.
Reports indicate 18-22% of job ads fall into this category, and recruiters say up to 81% have posted ghost jobs at least occasionally.
These fake postings are increasing rapidly across industries, but especially common in remote roles, where trust and transparency are already fragile.
Why Do Companies Use Ghost Jobs?
Companies post these ads for a variety of reasons, including:
Building a talent pipeline for future hiring needs.
Creating the illusion of company growth or momentum, especially in external-facing platforms.
Conducting market research such as assessing salary expectations or testing response rates.
Complying with internal policies like meeting HR or diversity posting requirements even when roles aren’t real.
These strategies can blur reality for job seekers and add unnecessary frustration to your remote job search.
How Ghost Jobs Affect Remote Workers
Emotional burn-out: Applying to phantom ads wastes time, builds false hope, and lowers confidence.
Distorted market signals: Fake listings inflate the number of supposed openings, making the job market look “hotter” than it really is.
Wasted effort: You might spend hours tailoring a resume or preparing for interviews without any real outcome.
For remote job seekers, especially career beginners, this can be particularly discouraging.
Red Flags: How to Spot Ghost Jobs
Not all job listings are what they seem. Here are some common warning signs that a role might be a ghost job, and what you can do about it:
The listing’s been up forever.
If you keep seeing the same job posted month after month, it’s likely not an active opportunity. Some companies leave old listings up just to build a pool of potential candidates “for the future.” Instead, focus on jobs posted in the last 1–2 weeks, and use filters that show only recent listings.
You never hear back.
If you applied and followed up but never received any response (not even a rejection), that’s a big red flag. A complete lack of communication usually means the role was never meant to be filled. To avoid this trap, track your applications and don’t keep investing time in roles that go silent.
The job description is vague or confusing.
Watch out for listings that are full of buzzwords but light on actual responsibilities or requirements. Ghost job postings are often deliberately generic because they’re not looking for a real fit. Look for clear expectations, specific qualifications, and outlined duties.
There’s no deadline or hiring timeline.
Legitimate job postings usually include a closing date, interview period, or timeline for decisions. If there’s no indication of when the company plans to hire, it could be a placeholder. Prioritize jobs with some structure around timing.
You can’t find the job on the company’s website.
If the listing only appears on job boards or aggregators, but not on the company’s official careers page, that’s a red flag. Real openings are usually listed directly by the company. Always cross-check with the employer’s site to confirm the role is real.
What to Do Instead: Smart, Efficient Remote Job Search
Focus on trusted platforms: Use verified job boards, remote-focused groups, and employer-specific sites.
Build real connections: Reach out directly to recruiters or employees via LinkedIn. Even a short chat can reveal if a role is active.
Keep a search tracker: Log jobs you applied to, follow-up attempts, and interview updates so you can quickly identify silent listings and let them go.
Tailor each application selectively: Spend time on listings that pass your initial red‑flag test. Don’t blanket‑apply.
Try proactive outreach: Pitch your remote skills to companies of choice, even when no job is listed, with value-driven emails.
Upgrade your skills and profile: Build a strong online presence through small projects or temp gigs, especially in digital and remote-friendly work types.
Ghost jobs may be common but you’re not helpless. By locating red flags early, validating roles, and focusing on verified opportunities, you’ll save time and energy. Your remote career can flourish without chasing shadows. Keep your momentum and stay strategic!
And if you’re feeling stuck in your remote career search, your resume might not be the problem. Our new 90-second diagnostic reveals the real bottleneck holding you back!
Stay Rebellious,
Michelle
This week’s article is sponsored by Tulsa Remote. Tulsa Remote is redefining what’s possible for remote workers by offering top talent the chance to thrive in a vibrant, welcoming community, without sacrificing career ambition. Through relocation incentives, community programming, and professional support, Tulsa Remote helps individuals build meaningful lives in a city that values connection and innovation. Remote work has changed the where, Tulsa Remote is changing the how.