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As a job seeker, you’ve been there – possibly more than once. You may have tirelessly spent hours perfecting your job application. You’ve read and then re-read your application. You’ve finally hit the “apply for this position” button. And then you’ve waited anxiously, only to receive no reply. As it turns out, this phantom’s real! And it’s called a “Ghost Job.”  

Ghost Jobs – A True Haunting 

Fake listings permeate the job market, wasting time and energy and leading to frustration, job-seeking fatigue and burnout. Even though, we see these positions as available online, in many cases they’re already filled or don’t exist. A survey by Clarify Capital indicates that 50% of managers keep job postings available, as they’re “always open to new people.” When asked why they aren’t actively filling these positions, the most popular responses are:  

  • “We are always open to new people.” 
  •  “We want to keep our current employees motivated.” 
  •  “This gives an impression of a growing company.” 
  •  “To keep an active pool of applicants in case of turnover.”  
  •  “The job was filled through internal hiring.” 

The Job Seeker’s Dilemma 

Ghost jobs bring out a real scare! They create fear and discontent among job seekers who spend valuable time tailoring resumes and cover letters for positions that don’t exist. Long waits and no responses received against multiple applications can leave them feeling disheartened and frustrated. They begin to experience hopelessness, despair, and a loss of interest in pursuing other (possibly genuine) opportunities. And ultimately, the prevalence of job-seeking fatigue begins to affect the entire job market. 

Steer Clear of Fake Listings 

How do you differentiate between legitimate and bogus job postings?  

Fact Check, Read and Research 

Take time out to research the company. Read through recent press releases to understand more about their operations. Is there any information on upcoming projects or business expansions that require new hiring? You may also want to do a quick reading on company review sites for insights from current or former employees.  

Take Note of the Timing 

Pro Tip: timing is everything. Be sure to check the date on which the job was posted. If the job was posted a month or two ago and still appears to be open, chances are this one’s a ghost – or perhaps one that has already been filled. Be cautious and stay away from job listings that have a missing timestamp. Instead, focus on recent postings since they are more likely to be genuine.  

Review the Job Description 

Authentic vacancy announcements entail lengthy details about the required qualifications, experience level and key responsibilities of the role. If you come across a posting that gives minimal information about the position, seems like a generic template or provides a vague job description – take this as a red flag.  

Leverage Your Network 

Contact friends, former colleagues and business acquaintances to inquire about open positions. Remain informed about upcoming industry events and job fairs to make direct connection with recruiters. Finally, visit the company’s website or LinkedIn account to engage directly with official representatives.  

Diversify Job Search Methods 

Don’t rely solely on job boards. Instead, consider visiting company websites or professional associations and leverage the power of your social connections. You can even connect with reputable recruiters who work closely with hiring managers in different organizations.  

The Power of You 

Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.” – Steven R. Covey 

 In your quest for the best-fit job for you, begin by creating the best version of yourself. Build a strong brand image and let your work speak for itself. Remain confident and consistent in your job search efforts. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t hear back from organizations as soon as you’d like. Remember, a powerful personal brand can revolutionize your job search, transforming you from an active applicant to a sought-after professional.  

At Crosworks, our approach begins and ends with you. If you’re looking for a new job or considering a career transition, let our expert career strategists help you understand your needs, define your goals and chart your path. Connect with us now and allow our professional career and leadership coaches to work with you one-on-one to develop an actionable plan for career fulfillment and happiness.  

 

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