In recent months, a curious hiring trend has puzzled job seekers and HR professionals alike: ghost jobs. These are job listings that appear active but, in reality, aren’t meant to be filled. Whether intentional or accidental, ghost jobs are becoming increasingly common — and they say a lot about modern recruitment dynamics.
So what exactly are ghost jobs? Why do companies post them? And what should employers — especially in startups and small businesses — learn from this?
What Are Ghost Jobs?
Ghost jobs are active job postings for roles that:
- Have already been filled
- Were never meant to be filled
- Exist only to collect resumes
- Are kept online for company visibility
For candidates, it’s frustrating — hours spent on crafting applications, with no real opportunity at the end. But for employers, it can also backfire.
Why Do Companies Post Ghost Jobs?
Here are some common (and sometimes controversial) reasons:
- Future-Proofing
Companies want to build a candidate pipeline even if the role isn’t open yet. - Reputation Management
Startups sometimes keep job openings online to appear “in-demand” or “growing.” - Talent Benchmarking
Recruiters may post roles just to understand the salary expectations and skill availability in the market. You can test your regional salary packages against tax structures using our free income tax calculator. - Internal Miscommunication
Sometimes HR teams forget to take down listings after positions are filled.
Risks for Employers
Ghost listings might sound harmless, but they come with real risks:
- Reputation Damage: Repeated fake listings frustrate job seekers and hurt employer branding.
- Wasted Time: Screening candidates for a non-existent role adds noise to the hiring funnel.
- Legal Grey Zones: In some regions, misleading job ads can raise compliance concerns.
What Can HR Teams Do Better?
At Zeba, we believe small and mid-sized businesses should build trust-first hiring practices. Here’s how to avoid ghost-job behavior:
Audit Listings Regularly
Use Zeba's HR dashboard to track open roles and expiration dates by reviewing our platform subscription choices on the pricing page.
Add Transparency in Job Descriptions
If you're open to future interest but not hiring immediately, say so. Reach out to our team via the contact us section if you need help structuring your templates.
Automate Communication
Use email or WhatsApp notifications to close the loop with applicants, even when they're not selected, by setting custom permission flows via our user management settings.
Update Hiring Status in Real Time
With Zeba Pro, you can mark roles as on hold, active, or closed — and sync that with job boards automatically, which helps ensure smooth onboarding ahead of your monthly payroll automation cycles.
A Better Hiring Culture Starts With Clarity
Whether intentional or not, ghost jobs erode trust between companies and candidates. In a talent-driven market, clarity, honesty, and speed are your biggest assets.
With Zeba Pro, you can streamline hiring, improve communication, and ensure your open roles reflect your true needs — no ghosts in sight. 👻
Ready to simplify HR and make hiring more human?
👉 Try Zeba Pro Free
