How to Avoid Ghost Jobs

The Rise of Ghost Jobs

You apply. You wait. You hear nothing. Weeks pass, the job is still posted, and you start wondering: “Was this even real?”
 
Welcome to the world of ghost jobs. Ghost job postings or fake jobs are the ones that look legitimate, posted by people who have little or no intent to hire. In 2025, they’ve become so common that nearly 1 in 5 listings fall into this category. For job seekers, ghost jobs waste time, drain energy, and make the job hunt feel like running in place.
 
Recent studies and reports suggest a significant prevalence of ghost jobs (fake jobs):
​
Prevalence: Anywhere between 18% and 36% of all job openings might be "ghost jobs". One study from Baruch College researcher Hunter Ng suggests that as many as 21% of job ads could be classified as ghost jobs.
 
Industry Variations: Some industries exhibit higher rates of ghost jobs. For example, construction (38%), arts (34%), and legal (29%) sectors show higher rates of ghost job postings, according to the hiring platform “Greenhouse”.

Why Ghost Jobs Exist

Employers post fake jobs with no intention of filling them for several reasons:
 
Maintaining Talent Pipelines: Especially for specialized or hard-to-fill roles, companies may keep listings open indefinitely to gather resumes for future hiring needs.
 
Market Research: Analyzing resumes and salary expectations from ghost job applications can provide companies with insights into the talent pool and compensation trends.
 
Projecting Growth: Posting numerous job openings can create an illusion of company growth, even if hiring is not actively taking place.
 
Budget Uncertainty: The role may be frozen until funding is approved.
 
Compliance Requirements: Certain government contracts require posting a role even if an internal candidate is already lined up.
 
Employee Relations: Some companies might post fake jobs to make current employees feel replaceable, subtly pushing them to perform better.
 
Internal Promotions: They’ve already chosen someone inside the company, but post publicly for policy reasons.
 
The impact of ghost jobs can have several negative consequences:
 
Wasted Time & Frustration: Job seekers spend time and effort applying for positions that were never meant to be filled, leading to frustration and job-search burnout.
 
Distorted Labor Market Data: The presence of ghost jobs can inflate job vacancy numbers, distorting labor market metrics and potentially leading to misinformed policy decisions.
 

According to a Greenhouse study, in any given quarter, 18-22% of the jobs posted on the Greenhouse platform are classified as ghost jobs. (https://www.greenhouse.com/blog/greenhouse-2024-state-of-job-hunting-report)

 
Clarify Capital reports that 68% of managers had job postings active for more than 30 days, and 50% of managers keep job postings open because they're “always open to new people” (https://clarifycapital.com/job-seekers-beware-of-ghost-jobs-survey) 

How to Spot a Ghost Job

While difficult to definitively determine, some indicators might suggest a job posting is not genuine. Look for these red flags before you hit “Apply”:
  
Job Posting Date Keeps Resetting: A role reposted for months is a warning sign.
 
Long-Standing Postings: Job ads that remain open for extended periods (months) may be ghost jobs, says FOX 13 Seattle.
 
Vague Descriptions: Generic or overly broad job descriptions lacking specific details about responsibilities or qualifications can be a red flag.
 
Lack of Salary Transparency: The vagueness of salary information could be a warning sign. In other words, a big gap between the low end and high end is a red flag. For example, compensation listed between $65,000 and $175,000 calls for suspicion.
 
Unrealistic Requirements: A laundry list of skills for an entry-level salary is often filler for a role they’re not serious about.
 
Lack of Urgency: The ad says “immediate hire,” but interviews are scheduled weeks away.
 
No Hiring Manager Listed: Legitimate jobs often name the department head or recruiter.

Ghost Jobs vs Scam Jobs

​It's important to differentiate between ghost jobs posted by legitimate companies and outright job scams. While both are misleading, job scams often involve requesting sensitive personal information or payment up front. Always exercise caution and verify company information and job offers through official channels before sharing sensitive data or making any financial commitments.

Learn to Avoid Ghost Jobs

You can’t eliminate ghost jobs, but you can waste less time on them:
 
Ask Before Applying: A quick LinkedIn message to the recruiter or hiring manager:

• “Hello [Name], I saw the [Job Title] posting. Would you please let me know if this role is actively interviewing right now?”

 
Focus on Fresh Postings: Apply to jobs less than 7 days old.
 
Track Company Patterns: If the same company keeps “hiring” for the same role but never responds, skip them.
 
Leverage Your Network: Internal referrals can confirm whether the role is real.
 
Diversify Your Search: Combine traditional job boards with networking events, LinkedIn connections, industry groups, and cold outreach to decision-makers.
 
Explore Freelance or Entrepreneurial Options: Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Etsy can keep income flowing while you search for the right opportunity.
 
If you want your applications to lead to real interviews:
 

• Search “actively hiring” or “urgent hire” in job board filters.
• Use LinkedIn’s “in your network” filter to prioritize companies where you know someone.
• Keep a spreadsheet to track responses and identify ghost job patterns.
• Follow industry-specific recruiters on LinkedIn; they’re more likely to share genuine openings.

The Role of Remote Work

In early 2025, 40% of jobs allowed some form of remote work, and hybrid roles rose from 9% of postings in 2023 to 24% in 2025. IT, communications, project management, and education remain top fields for legitimate remote roles.
 
Why this matters: Remote options can give you more real opportunities by widening the talent pool beyond your local area.

Legislation Is Catching On

​Some governments are stepping in. Ontario, Canada, is crafting legislation to make HR ghosting illegal, requiring employers to update candidates after interviews or face fines.
 
In the US, New Jersey, Kentucky, and California have proposed or active bills aimed at reducing ghost job postings and improving hiring transparency. While it’s not yet nationwide, these measures could be the first step toward holding employers accountable.

Final Thoughts

​Ghost jobs are frustrating, but they don’t have to derail your job search. By spotting the warning signs, asking the right questions, and diversifying your strategy, you can avoid the fake job trap and focus your energy on opportunities that are real, active, and ready to hire.

Source: ​https://www.market-connections.net/blog/how-to-avoid-ghost-jobs

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.
 

Feel free to connect with Mandy Fard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/

 
Please follow Market-Connections Resume Services on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-connections-resume-services.com

Career Development Planner 2023

Career Development Planner 2023: It is very important to take the time to plan your career roadmap for 2023. It is essential to helping you reach professional development goals

Career Planner

​According to ourworldindata.org 90 percent of our daily lives is spent doing routine tasks. But habit can be a bad thing, because “if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’re going to keep on getting what you’ve always got.”
 
One of the most important things you can do is to take the time to plan your career roadmap for 2023. Whether you are thinking of a job change or career change in the new year, or simply get more out of your current job, a career plan is essential to helping you reach your goal for professional development.
 
This exercise may take you 20 minutes, or you might devote a few hours to planning where you want to be on New Year’s Day 2023. If you want your life to be different in 2023, especially your career, take the time to work on your career roadmap. You may decide to use multiple planners including a success planner and a CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANNER.

Step 1: Take Stock
​​The first step is to assess where you are. To figure out where you’re going, you must first look at where you’ve been.

Career Development Planner

Here are some questions to help you assess where you are:

¨  What are you most proud of this past year — personally, and professionally?
¨  What went right this year?
¨  Did you receive any awards or recognition this year?
¨  Did you take on any additional responsibility this year? If so, what?
¨  How did you take initiative in your job this year?
¨  Have you learned any new skills?
¨  Did you earn any certifications or licenses?
 
Record this information in a success journal. This can be a Microsoft Word file on your computer, a note in Evernote, a series of emails you send to yourself (be sure to use email tags so you’re able to find the emails again!), or even a physical notebook. And in the coming year, take time to record your accomplishments as you go through the year instead of waiting until the end of the year.
 
Next, look at opportunities for improvement in your career. How does your salary stack up against your peers? Is your current position in alignment with your priorities and your core values? Where is change needed? This is when it helps to use a detailed career planner.

Step 2: Articulate Your Goal
​Decide what you want. What is your goal for professional development? Spell it out: What does it look like; what does it feel like? You have to really want it to invest the time and energy to follow your dream. Describe your ideal job:

• What is your ideal employer? (size, industry, culture, location, structure)
• How much would your dream job pay? (Realistically)
• What are the most important benefits — other than salary — that would prompt you to go to work for a new company?
• Describe your ideal job — the position you would most like to have. What is the job title, responsibilities, who you would report to, who would report to you. Would it involve travel? Do you want to work independently, as part of a team, or both? Do you like short-term projects or long-term projects?
• What do you want your next job to do for you that your last job didn’t do? In other words, what will be different about your next job? Have you figured out how to find your dream job? Is there anything that you do in your current job that you don’t want to do in your next job?

 
Think about the person that you want to be, and imagine the possibilities. If a career change is in the horizon, it helps to take a career change quiz. Then, identify 2-3 goals you want to tackle. Use the S.M.A.R.T. goal system to articulate your goals — goals should be “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Oriented.”
 
For example, let’s imagine you have worked as an Accountant for the past three years, but you really want to work in marketing. Your goal might be: “By Jan. 1, 2023, I will be working as a Marketing Assistant in a Fortune 1000 company”

You should also write down why you are interested in making the change. In other words, what is your motivation for taking this path? Another good question to ask yourself is, “How will I know when I’ve achieved my goal(s)?”

Step 3: Make a Plan
​Take time to prepare a game plan and use a career planner for how you will reach your goal. But don’t use planning as an excuse to procrastinate. You want to get to Step Four as quickly as possible because actions create momentum.
 
Take each of your goals and write down the list of steps under each of them that you will need to take to make the goal happen. The more individual steps you can map out, the easier it will be for you to reach your goals. The steps should be practical tasks that will lead you to achieve your goal for professional development.
 
For example, with our goal of making a career change from accounting to marketing, here are some sample steps:

• Research job postings for entry-level marketing jobs. What are the skills, education, and experience required?
• Join the American Marketing Association and attend one virtual event or in-person boot camp in the next 90-120 days.
• Enroll in a semester-long online marketing course focusing on marketing principles.
• Identify a volunteer opportunity to put marketing skills into practice — either in your current job or with a community organization.
• Assess transferable skills from accounting that would be useful in a marketing role (project management, analysis, financial management, client relations).
• Inquire about how to hire a resume writer to create a targeted marketing resume.
• Join three marketing-related groups on LinkedIn, and follow 5-6 Fortune 1000 companies in the area that have company profiles on LinkedIn.
• Assemble people in your network to act as references for marketing interviews.
• Connect with 2-3 contacts at Fortune 1000 companies in the area.
• Identify possible employers and submit resumes.

 
Give yourself milestones so you can measure your progress. How will you know when you’re on the right track? Include specific dates and numbers in your milestones.

Step 4: Take Action
The tasks you’ve outlined in Step Three, give you a checklist of items to use to take action. If you are working through the steps and discover you need to add additional items, update your task list. You may also discover additional projects that need to be completed to make the next step — and the overall goal — easier to accomplish. You may also find that you need to make adjustments to your timeline.
 
For example, if you discover that a six-month program to learn about professional social media marketing would help you land your new marketing job, you might adjust your goal deadline to March 1, 2023, if the program won’t be completed until late December 2022. This would give you time to put some of the new skills into practice before you put them on your résumé.
 
As you work your way through your task list, focus on the actions you are taking, realizing that if you are taking the right actions, these should eventually lead to the results you seek. If you’re not getting the results you want, change the plan, not the goal. Re-examine your tasks and see if there is something you are missing.
 
It can also be helpful to get outside feedback. Enlisting the help of an accountability partner — a friend, family member, career coach, resume writer, or therapist — can provide valuable perspective on your progress. This individual can also keep you on track, making sure you are working through your task list. And if there is a specific area where you need help in order to cross the task off your list, make sure you ask for assistance.
 
For example, writing a resume to support a career change can be difficult. Enlisting help from professional resume writing services can help you cross that task off your list.

Step 5: Measure Your Progress
When you’re on a journey, it can help to periodically assess where you are to make sure you’re on the right road. If you miss a step along the way — or take a “wrong career path” — you can find yourself a long way from your intended destination. So, plan periodic assessments of your progress along the way. This can be a monthly “check-up” where you review your plan and make any necessary changes or a quarterly review.
 
Taking the time to think through — and plan out — your career roadmap is an important step in helping you create the career you want for yourself. If you don’t, you may find your career stuck or stalled. Or you may wake up five years from now and wonder, “How did I get here?” If you want to achieve more in your professional life, invest the time and effort in completing the Career Roadmap Worksheet below.

​SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/career-development-planner-2023​​

Career Development Worksheet

Use this worksheet with your career planner
​
STEP 1: TAKE STOCK

• Current Job Title: 
• Start Date of Current Job (month/year):
• Current Salary: 
• What I Like Most About My Current Job: 
• What I Would Want to Change About My Current Job: 

STEP 2: ARTICULATE YOUR GOAL

• What Is Your Goal? 

 
STEP 3: MAKE A PLAN

• What Are the Specific Steps (Tasks) You Need to Take In Order to Achieve Your Goal?

 
 

STEP 4: TAKE ACTION

• What Help (Outside Assistance) Do You Need to Reach Your Goal?
•  Who Is Your Accountability Partner?

 
STEP 5: MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS

• How Close — or How Far Away — Are You To Reaching Your Goal At This Moment?
•  Do You Need to Make Any Adjustments in the Goal, Tasks, or Deadline?

https://payhip.com/b/oObzn

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.

 

Feel free to connect with Mandy Fard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/

Work Life Balance and Integration

This post offers answers to work life balance and integration as this topic has lately become a challenge for many people. https://www.market-connections.net/blog/work-life-balance-and-integration 

In some circles, discussions about work life balance have shifted to talking about work life integration. Whatever you call it, many people are searching for a way to juggle their personal and professional roles.
 
More than half of all employees say that job demands sometimes interfere with their personal responsibilities, according to a study by the American Psychological Association. Try these suggestions to help you meet your daily challenges.

Guiding Principles

1. Make your own decisions.  There are countless success habits quotes and everyone’s definition of success looks different. Focus on what makes you happy and productive. Consider whether you and others may be projecting your own assumptions when you comment on someone else’s lifestyle. Your job is to remember how to follow your own vision of career success. 
   
   
2. Consider your boundaries. Some workers find it disruptive to take business calls after office hours. Others feel stressed if they’re out of touch for any long interval. If possible, negotiate an arrangement with your employer that is comfortable for both of you.
   
   
3. Think long term. There are always trade-offs. Assess whether frequent overtime or spending more hours with your family will make you happier when you look back on what you did with your life.
   
   
4. Update your plans. Your answers may change as you go through life. Check-in frequently to stay on track. You may be eager to gain new experiences when you first graduate from school. People first careers can be very exciting. As you begin to lean how to step down the corporate ladder and approach retirement, you may want to volunteer more in your community.
   
   
5. Give yourself credit. It’s common to feel guilty about working too little or too much. Focus on doing the best you can.
   
   
6. Remain flexible. Financial constraints and other factors may influence your decisions. Work with whatever circumstances you face while you try to improve them.

Time Management

1. Be realistic. Establish your top priorities and stick to them. If you’re struggling with your To-Do List each day, you probably need to cut back on the least important tasks.

 

1. Get organized. You can accomplish more when you have solid systems in place. Look for ways to run your errands more efficiently and keep your surroundings free of clutter.

 

1. Limit distractions. Maybe you lose track of time watching TV or talking on the phone. Reclaim those wasted hours.

 

1. Schedule downtime. Your mind and body need adequate rest. Take time to relax daily.

Additional Suggestions

1. Recognize individual differences. Some people are content viewing their job as just a paycheck, and others blend their paid work with the rest of their life. Any combination is okay as long as you find fulfillment.

 

1. Ask for support. Help from family and friends or paid services can help you to focus on your strongest areas. Ask your children to take on more chores or consider hiring a housekeeping services. Use the extra free time to pursue a promotion or start a hobby.

 

1. Reach out to others. Look for ways you can provide the same kind of assistance to those around you. Team up with a coworker so you can cover each other’s work on sick days or vacations rather than creating a backlog for when you return.

 

1. Take care of yourself. Keeping yourself fit enables you to contribute at home and at the office. Eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, manage stress, and stick to a regular sleep schedule.

 

1. Be yourself at work. As much as possible, reveal your authentic self at work. It will liberate others to do the same. You’ll also be more likely to form true friendships with your colleagues, which will make your days more pleasant.

It’s a big job to coordinate all the facets of your life. Think about your how to use your successes and failures to your advantage and plan to align your personal and professional responsibilities.

SOURCE: 

https://www.market-connections.net/blog/work-life-balance-and-integration​

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.
 

Feel free to connect with Mandy Fard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/

 
Please follow Market-Connections Resume Services on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-connections-resume-services.com

 

Quiet Quitting

 

Photo by Mandy Fard of https://www.market-connections.net

First it was The Great Resignation. Then came Quiet Quitting. That’s the latest career trend circulating on social media.

 

What it means depends on who you ask. For some, it’s a way of keeping your perspective, so your job won’t take over the rest of your life.

 

Others see a darker side. They say it’s a sign of being disengaged at work, and it’s more like a case of how your negative attitude e impacts your career and society. More than half of American workers say they’re doing the minimum to meet their job description. According to Gallup's Poll State of the Global Workplace: 2022 Report the majority of the U.S. workforce (65%) is not engaged.

 

Is there a middle ground between being a workaholic and just going through the motions? Learn more about what Quiet Quitting could mean for you.

 

Maintaining Balance

You need a personal life for the sake of your mental health. Otherwise, you’re at risk for burnout and becoming overwhelmed. In fact, some studies have found that working too much is one of the biggest life regrets.

 

These strategies can help you maintain balance:

 

1.     SET BOUNDARIES. It’s up to you how much you want to integrate your personal and professional activities or keep them separate. Find an arrangement that allows you to lead a happy and meaningful life.

2.     LIMIT YOUR HOURS. Excessive overtime interferes with your wellbeing as well as your productivity. Create a reasonable schedule. Stick to your schedule even when you work from home.

3.     BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. Connecting with colleagues makes work more fun and satisfying. Engage in small talk and socialize outside the office. Remember Dale Carnegie's advice about how to win friends and influence people.

4.     TAKE VACATIONS. Enjoy your time off from work. Visit exciting places and spend time with family and friends. Give yourself some downtime the rest of the year too. Go out for lunch and schedule breaks between tasks.

5.     PRACTICE SELF-CARE. Define resilience for yourself and follow your own advice. Investing in yourself makes you more resilient. Eat healthy foods and exercise regularly. Manage stress constructively on and off the job. You can't go wrong with proper self-care.

 

Protecting Your Career

What you do for a living can have a big impact on the quality of your life. Be proactive about making choices that align with your values and help you to reach your goal for professional development.

 

Consider using these techniques to protect your career:

 

1.     COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY. Many experts regard poor management and remote work as two main reasons behind Quiet Quitting. Talk face-to-face as much as possible. Have weekly one-on-one sessions with your boss. If need be, learn how to give feedback to your boss.

2.     CLARIFY EXPECTATIONS. Understand your boss’ priorities and how your performance will be measured. Learn how to handle your performance review. Ask for feedback and put things in writing.

3.     SHOW CONCERN. Let your colleagues know that you care about their wellbeing. Be friendly and helpful. Listen attentively. Learn about listening as a skill and practice active listening examples. Praise them for their talents and accomplishments. Earn their trust by doing your fair share of the work and holding yourself accountable. You may even reach more goals with an accountability partner.

 

4.     CONNECT WITH THE MISSION. Figure out how your role relates to the overall purpose of your organization. If you disagree with your company’s values, you may be able to make accommodations or you may need to move on.

5.     CONTINUE LEARNING. Keep your skills up to date and give yourself challenges that motivate you. Take courses online and read books about your industry. Join committees and volunteer for interesting projects.

6.     STAY SOLVENT. There's already some talk about quiet firing as a passive-aggressive way to pressure difficult employees to leave. Unfortunately, that lowers morale and could leave you without a paycheck. Think about your financial future even if you dislike your job.

 

Concerns about Quiet Quitting may turn out to be exaggerated, but the questions it raises are real. You spend about one-third of your life at work, so make that time as pleasant as possible. More importantly, pursue your purpose through whatever means work for you.

 

SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/quiet-quitting

 

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.

Feel free to connect with Mandy Fard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/

 

Please follow Market-Connections Resume Services on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-connections-resume-services.com

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