10 Ways to Spot a “Ghost Job” Posting (#9 Is a Total Giveaway)

Being on the lookout for better job opportunities is a common piece of financial advice for those looking for more pay and a better work-life balance. However, ghost jobs — or job openings that employers leave online when they have no real or immediate intention of hiring someone — can make this process difficult.

And while there are a few reasons an employer might leave ghost listings up to haunt a job board — like keeping track of new talent that they may one to pursue later — it doesn’t make it any less frustrating for job seekers hoping to land a new career now.

With that in mind, here are 10 red flags that may indicate that the position you are about to apply for may be a ghost job.

If a job listing has been up for several months, there’s a good chance it’s a ghost job. When companies are really hiring, they typically want to fill vacancies quickly.

According to Business Insider, the average time it takes to hire for an open role is 44 days, so if you see a listing that was posted more than two months ago, it could be a red flag.

However, if your goal is to earn extra money through a side hustle or to simply throw your hat into the mix for a gig with low expectations, it may be worth it to apply anyway.

Most companies have a section on their websites for job vacancies. If a listing is legitimate, you should be able to cross reference it when you visit the company site.

You may be able to get more information about that job and others from the company website as well — and determine if the position has since been filled or if there is another opportunity you may be more qualified for.

Legitimate job postings typically include very detailed descriptions of the job responsibilities because employers want people who are qualified and experienced to apply.

If a posting is vague or puts a heavy focus on perks or benefits of working for the company and little on day-to-day responsibilities, this could be an indicator that it’s a ghost job.

Before applying to a job, it’s worth it to do ample research on the company — not just to see if you have any connections in the company and tailor your resume and cover letter, but to scout for any indication that the posting may be a ghost job.

When companies are actively hiring, typically employees or hiring managers will typically post about job openings to their networks.

When a company is really looking to hire, they’ll likely add some information about timing — like an immediate start date or a deadline for applications — into the posting.

If the language about the timeline for hiring a candidate is vague or missing, it may indicate the vacancy is not urgent (or not even real).

If a job listing has been up on a board like LinkedIn or Indeed for months with little change, like updates to a timeline or new information aimed at attracting the right candidates, this is another indicator that it could be a ghost listing.

Legitimate job postings may provide contact information for a recruiter or hiring manager. Some also include an email address to contact should you have any issues applying.

Lack of contact information or clarity on who is doing the hiring could be a red flag.

If a job description focuses more on how great it is to work for the company — by touting things like growth, image, job perks, and the like — and not on what’s expected in the role, this is an indicator that they are not actually trying to fill a job.

Postings like this may be more focused on creating a good image for the company or gathering intel about talent they could potentially tap later on.

If you’ve been on the job hunt for a while, you’ve probably noticed some companies that continuously re-post the same job openings with no changes to the description.

This could be an indicator of a ghost job, but it may also be because the employer is having trouble filling the position and wants candidates to see a more recent job posting date.

If you come across your dream job — and the pay, responsibilities, and company all seem ideal — it may be worth it to apply anyway, even if there are some signs it might be a ghost ad.

Even though it may involve sending your resume and carefully crafted cover letter out into the ether, it’s always wise to take a chance that may help you get ahead financially.

Plus, there are many reasons a company might list a ghost job — including building a pool to revisit when jobs do open up — so it may be worth it to have your name out there.

Those in the midst of the job hunt might find ghost jobs irritating — and they are often not worth the time it takes to apply.

However, when a dream job does pop up, along with the potential to tap into a new source of income, it may be worth it to send in an application even if the listing has all the signs of a ghost gig. Just make sure you manage your expectations.