On this week's episode of the From Dorms to Desks Podcast, our cohosts talk about how some students, recent graduates, and other job applicants tirelessly apply for jobs with little success. If you're experiencing that, you're not alone. It turns out that more than a third of all jobs posted online are actually not real vacancies, a phenomenon often referred to as "ghost" or "fake" jobs. One survey revealed that 81% of recruiters admit to posting these fake advertisements. This can lead to wasted time, emotional toll, and job search burnout for eager applicants.
So, why do employers engage in this deceptive practice? Companies post fake job listings for a variety of reasons. Some aim to scout for a talent pool for future openings, even when no immediate vacancy exists, or to gather resumes to keep on file. Others use them to project an image of growth and dynamism, or to make current employees believe their workload will be alleviated, or even to make them feel replaceable. In some cases, a job might appear online due to regulatory or contractual requirements, even if an internal candidate has already been selected. Beyond ghost jobs, there are various forms of employment fraud, from recruitment agent fraud where recruiters misrepresent wages, to scams involving fake job offers from individuals posing as company employees. Other common scams include work-from-home money laundering schemes, mystery shopper scams, and requests for payment for nonexistent job placements.
The good news is, you can become adept at spotting these red flags. Be highly suspicious if a job sounds too good to be true, offering exceptionally high pay for minimal work or no experience. Pay close attention to unprofessional or suspicious communication. This includes emails from generic addresses like Gmail or Yahoo instead of a company domain, or messages riddled with poor grammar and spelling errors. A major red flag is any request for sensitive personal or financial information upfront, such as your Social Security number, banking details, or credit card information, especially before you're hired. Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay a fee for background checks, training, equipment, or placement services. Be cautious if there's no verifiable company information, such as a poorly designed website lacking company history or the job not appearing on their official careers page. Also, vague job descriptions that lack clarity on responsibilities or reporting structure are often a sign of a scam. Be wary if you're offered the job without a proper interview or assessment of your skills, or if the process is conducted solely via text or email with no video or phone calls. Finally, consider how long the job posting has been active; ghost jobs often remain online for weeks or months.
Research companies before engaging: check their official website, LinkedIn for real employees, and reviews on Glassdoor or Indeed. Always verify recruiter identity through LinkedIn or by calling the company directly. Ask specific questions about the role; refusal to answer is a red flag. Filter searches to recent postings (within a week). If something feels off, trust your instincts.
If scammed, act fast: report to the job board (LinkedIn, Indeed), notify the FTC or local labor department, change passwords, monitor accounts, and contact payment providers if money was sent. Staying alert protects you from fraudulent opportunities.
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