What Are Ghost Jobs? Here’s How You Can Identify One

Online job platforms have indeed made job hunting more accessible, but the persistence of fake or ghost jobs still haunts applicants. These deceptive job postings seem genuine but are fake

Applying for jobs online makes your life easier as you get everything listed in one place and can apply from the comfort of your home. However, sometimes, it leaves you in a pickle with no reply from the firm, and the reason could be that you were not selected. Another reason could be that the job you applied for never existed, and you got ghosted.

Online job platforms have indeed made job hunting more accessible, but the persistence of fake or ghost jobs still haunts applicants. These deceptive job postings seem genuine but are frequently either already occupied or non-existent. They not only waste individuals' time and energy but also dampen their spirits, sometimes even causing financial strain. Therefore, it's crucial to identify and stay away from such misleading job postings. 

Reason For Ghost Jobs

A major factor driving job seekers to apply for ghost jobs is their lack of skills, especially among those urgently seeking employment. This urgency often causes them to disregard warning signs when assessing job portals. These jobs are usually listed to scam people in need, and technological advancements have helped these scammers craft more authentic-looking job offers. With the aid of artificial intelligence, these scams have become more equipped and efficient in duping individuals. These scammers exploit this tactic to extort money or personal details from individuals.

Vulnerable or less qualified candidates seeking improved prospects often fall victim easily. Sometimes, certain companies put out such postings to fabricate an appearance of expansion for investors or competitors.

Individuals Most Vulnerable To Ghost Jobs

Ghost Job listings are most common in entry-level jobs as the freshers looking for their first job are more desperate, which gives scammers an edge. Customer service, contact centre, data entry roles, digital marketing, and content creation are the roles that are most prone to such scams.

Signs Of Ghost Jobs

These job listings have several signs that you can note to stay clear of these fake jobs. One should do a thorough research on the company to verify its legitimacy. This includes visiting its official website, reaching out to contacts who may have experience with the company, and reading reviews on platforms like Ambitionbox and Glassdoor.

Job seekers should get alerted when asked to share personal information such as bank account numbers or passport details, particularly if there's a sense of urgency in the communication.

A sense of Urgency is often created to pressure applicants into providing sensitive information and risking financial loss. Therefore, it's crucial to remain vigilant and refrain from sharing anything until the company and its offer have been thoroughly vetted.