‘Ghost Job’ Postings Could Be the Reason You’re Not Getting Hired
A new study found that nearly one in three job postings never go anywhere.
A recent analysis by AI resume builder MyPerfectResume, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), reveals that nearly one in three U.S. job postings do not lead to real hires, creating what are known as “ghost jobs.” For example, in June, out of 7.4 million reported job openings, only 5.2 million resulted in hires, leaving over 2.2 million roles—about 30%—unfilled. These ghost jobs create a misleading picture of a strong labor market while wasting job seekers’ time and eroding trust in employers.
A recent analysis by AI resume builder MyPerfectResume, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), reveals that nearly one in three U.S. job postings do not lead to real hires, creating what are known as “ghost jobs.” For example, in June, out of 7.4 million reported job openings, only 5.2 million resulted in hires, leaving over 2.2 million roles—about 30%—unfilled. These ghost jobs create a misleading picture of a strong labor market while wasting job seekers’ time and eroding trust in employers.
What Are Ghost Jobs?
Ghost jobs refer to advertised job openings that remain vacant indefinitely or never materialize into actual employment opportunities. These postings may appear real, but ultimately do not lead to hiring due to factors such as:
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Labor shortages or a lack of qualified candidates, especially in sectors like healthcare and education.
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Administrative or budget delays are putting hiring on hold, despite continued job postings.
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Companies are maintaining pools of qualified candidates for future openings rather than immediate hires.
The phenomenon inflates labor market data and job seekers’ expectations, ultimately undermining confidence in the job market.
Ghost jobs refer to advertised job openings that remain vacant indefinitely or never materialize into actual employment opportunities. These postings may appear real, but ultimately do not lead to hiring due to factors such as:
-
Labor shortages or a lack of qualified candidates, especially in sectors like healthcare and education.
-
Administrative or budget delays are putting hiring on hold, despite continued job postings.
-
Companies are maintaining pools of qualified candidates for future openings rather than immediate hires.
The phenomenon inflates labor market data and job seekers’ expectations, ultimately undermining confidence in the job market.
Scope and Impact
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The ghost job rate has hovered between 28% and 32% recently, after peaking in 2021 at around 38% when job postings surged dramatically while hires lagged.
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Some of the hardest-hit sectors include education and health (with ghost job rates around 50%), and financial activities (44%).
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Job seekers expend time applying to roles that will not result in interviews or offers, which can lead to frustration and diminished trust in employers.
-
The ghost job rate has hovered between 28% and 32% recently, after peaking in 2021 at around 38% when job postings surged dramatically while hires lagged.
-
Some of the hardest-hit sectors include education and health (with ghost job rates around 50%), and financial activities (44%).
-
Job seekers expend time applying to roles that will not result in interviews or offers, which can lead to frustration and diminished trust in employers.
Broader Economic Implications
The ghost job economy presents a “deceptively strong” labor market, misguiding policymakers and impairing accurate economic analysis. Until job postings more accurately reflect actual hiring, workers will keep chasing phantom opportunities, perpetuating inefficiencies in the labor market.
Overall, ghost jobs distort the reality behind U.S. employment statistics, waste candidates’ efforts, and contribute to employer brand distrust — highlighting a critical discrepancy between job postings and actual hiring outcomes.
The ghost job economy presents a “deceptively strong” labor market, misguiding policymakers and impairing accurate economic analysis. Until job postings more accurately reflect actual hiring, workers will keep chasing phantom opportunities, perpetuating inefficiencies in the labor market.
Overall, ghost jobs distort the reality behind U.S. employment statistics, waste candidates’ efforts, and contribute to employer brand distrust — highlighting a critical discrepancy between job postings and actual hiring outcomes.