Looking for a job? Beware of ‘ghost jobs’
The search for a new job is not easy. Constantly responding to a series of job postings without any results does affect your self-confidence. Let me reassure you, it doesn't have to be your fault at all. Recruitment marketer Hanna Goefft warns us about ‘ghost jobs’. Companies are not always completely honest about the job postings they put online, which unnecessarily prolongs your search. So take note, so you don't fall for it again next time.
‘Ghost jobs’
Although it may feel that way, ‘ghost jobs’ are not a scam according to Goefft. It's not that your data is being collected to be misused later. But what is actually happening? ‘Ghost jobs’ are indeed job postings from real existing companies, but there is no open position behind them. The This is how you recover from a bore-out: position being offered does exist, but it is simply not available at that moment. Now I understand that you might be thinking: why do companies do this? According to Goefft, there are several reasons. It is an ideal way to see what talents are out there in the job market. This way, employers can already build a list of potential candidates for when they do have an opening or want to replace an employee. You could also see it as an Instagram filter for companies, making everything look a bit better than it actually is. Posting job vacancies is a sign that you are growing and that things are going well. Working on your reputation and being visible online is high on many employers‘ to-do lists. Lastly, it is also a way to test job descriptions and see if you attract the right people. It may feel that way, but companies are not using ’ghost jobs' to annoy us; there is really a thought process behind it.
How do you spot a ‘ghost job’?
That our job search is made longer and more difficult by these ‘fake vacancies’ is, of course, very annoying. Fortunately, Goefft has a few tips to recognize ‘ghost jobs’, hopefully saving you disappointment and the time you spend personalizing a cover letter, ,.
1. Search for the ‘ghost job’ on the company website
Job sites or platforms like LinkedIn are, of course, ideal places to find many open jobs together. But to be sure that what you found is real, Goefft suggests it's smart to also check the company's own website. Is the job posting also on their own site? Then you can assume it is real. If not, it is likely a trick to remain visible or to gather talent.
2. Follow the layoff news
The job market is constantly changing; new people are being hired, but there are also layoffs. Although companies are not always very open about it, with a good Google search, you can often find information if many employees have had to leave somewhere in a short time. If that is the case, the chance is small that they will immediately hire many new people. An open position is then more likely a way to give the impression that everything is perfectly fine within the company or to collect resumes for later.
3. Be proactive
The longer a job posting is online, the greater the chance that there have already been many responses or that it may have already been filled. Companies do not always remove their postings immediately. Goefft's tip: set up alerts for new job postings and filter for the most recent results. In fact, you can skip anything that has been visible for more than a month. It remains a bit of a first-come, first-served situation.
4. Research the ‘ghost job’
Companies will never admit that they are posting a ‘ghost job’; you will really have to find out for yourself. That doesn't mean you are alone in this; you are not the only one looking for a job and dealing with this. On social media and online platforms like Glassdoor, you can find all sorts of information about others‘ previous experiences with certain companies. Here you can discover, for example, if ’fake vacancies' have been used before, so you don't fall for it again. Conversely, it is also nice to warn your fellow job seekers in time.
Even if you pay close attention, ‘ghost jobs’ are often hard to recognize. So don't be too hard on yourself if you encounter one. With these tips, the chance of falling for one will at least be a bit smaller, so hopefully, you will soon find your ideal, real job.
Source: The Every Girl
