Important Caveat: Watch for “Ghost Jobs”
If you’ve been browsing remote job boards lately, you may have stumbled across something unsettling: “ghost jobs.” These are job ads posted without any real intention of hiring. Sometimes they’re used to give the impression of company growth, pad out metrics for recruiters, or even to collect candidate data.
A 2025 Greenhouse study found that as many as 1 in 5 job postings may be fake or never filled. That’s a sobering statistic for job seekers and employers alike.
For Job Seekers: How to Spot a Ghost Job
Not every posting is what it seems. Here are some red flags to watch for:
Vague or generic descriptions: A job ad that could apply to almost any role is a warning sign.
Perpetually “open” positions: If the same ad has been running for months without updates, it’s worth questioning.
Repeated listings across multiple platforms: When a company keeps re-posting the same role without progress, it may not be serious.
Legitimate, human-centred job ads typically include:
Specific details – clear responsibilities and outcomes.
A defined process – interview stages and timelines.
Cultural insights – what it’s like to work there, not just a checklist of skills.
For Employers: Why Ghost Jobs Hurt Your Brand
Posting ghost jobs isn’t harmless. It can damage your reputation in ways that are difficult to recover from.
Candidate frustration: Skilled people invest time applying and interviewing, only to feel misled when the role isn’t real. Word spreads quickly on platforms like Glassdoor or LinkedIn.
Loss of trust: Today’s job seekers expect transparency. A business that appears to “fake hire” risks losing credibility not only with candidates but also with clients and partners.
Wasted resources: Sorting through applications for a role that doesn’t exist drains your team’s energy and distracts from genuine hiring needs.
Instead, businesses can build stronger results by creating authentic, transparent postings. A clear role description, upfront expectations, and realistic timelines show respect for candidates and strengthen your employer brand.
The MSS Difference
At Mornington Screening Service, we specialise in real recruitment with real outcomes. We help employers design job ads that attract the right candidates while giving job seekers confidence that every role is genuine. It’s recruitment built on trust, not tactics.
