Lecture on Ghost Jobs in the Job Market

Overview

• Current job market is very challenging.
• Individuals are applying to hundreds of jobs without responses.
• Even highly qualified candidates are experiencing difficulties.

Definition of Ghost Jobs

• Ghost Job: A job listing by a real company with no intention of actually filling the position.
• Different from scams which involve hacking or bad links.
• Ghost jobs are made either by an employee or company software.

Prevalence

• Study shows 1 in 5 job listings are ghost jobs.
• Some believe the number is much higher.

Reasons for Ghost Jobs

Appearance of Growth

• Companies want to appear as though they are expanding.
• Gives false hope to job seekers and investors.
• May lead to market manipulation, potentially securities fraud.

Resume Collection

• Companies collect resumes for potential future use.
• Considered less harmful as job seekers expect resume storage.

Employee Manipulation

• Used to make employees feel replaceable.
• Creates pressure to perform and avoid organizing.

Legal and Legislative Actions

• New Jersey senators proposed a bill to ban ghost jobs.
• Bill proposes $5,000 fine for employers posting ghost jobs.

Identifying Ghost Jobs

• Multiple identical listings are suspect.
• Listings on platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed but not on the company’s website.
• Job descriptions that are overly vague or too perfect.

Resources for Job Seekers

• Reddit spreadsheet tracking companies accused of posting ghost jobs.
• Caution advised as the list is not independently verified.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to stay informed about ghost jobs.
• Invitation to support the channel and explore additional content.