Is That Job Posting Even Real?
Learn to identify fake job postings before wasting hours on applications that will never be reviewed.
The Ghost Jobs Detection Guide by What About AI? explains how to identify fake and ghost job postings before wasting hours on applications that will never be reviewed. It covers red flags, verification techniques, and strategies to focus your job search on real opportunities.
Source: What About AI?
Key Insights from This Guide
Here are some of the most important findings. Download the full guide for complete analysis, action steps, and checklists.
40% of Companies Posted Fake Jobs in 2024
81% of recruiters admit posting ghost jobs, and a 2.2 million monthly gap exists between posted openings and actual hires according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents systematic, widespread deception wasting millions of job seeker hours.
Ghost Jobs Serve Corporate Manipulation, Not Hiring
67% of companies post fake jobs to create growth illusions for investors, 63% to make overworked employees believe help is coming, and 62% to make current workers feel replaceable. Resume harvesting with zero hiring intent accounts for 60% of postings.
30-Day Rule: Older Postings Have Exponentially Higher Ghost Risk
Fresh applications within 48-72 hours of posting yield better real opportunities. Timing red flags include vague descriptions, missing application deadlines, flexible start dates, and lack of specific manager or department identification.
Regulation Is Starting to Mandate Transparency
Ontario implemented January 2026 legislation requiring employers to disclose actual vacancy status and notify candidates within 45 days of interview. California, Kentucky, and federal efforts are moving toward similar mandates, though current best defense remains individual verification.
What's Inside the Guide
Red Flag Checklist
7 warning signs that a job posting is fake, with specific examples of what to look for.
Research Strategies
How to verify job postings using company websites, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and financial reports.
Pattern Recognition
Real examples of ghost job patterns we've identified from working with clients.
Verification Scripts
Email and LinkedIn message templates for reaching out to verify if a position is actually being filled.
Company Analysis
How to research company health, layoff history, and hiring patterns to spot inconsistencies.
Reporting Resources
Where and how to report fraudulent job listings to help protect other job seekers.
From the What About AI Podcast
This guide is based on our podcast episode exposing the ghost jobs phenomenon. Sean Boyce and James Perkins bring combined decades of experience in tech and operations at companies like Vanguard and JP Morgan Chase—and half our coaching clients come to us after struggling with exactly this problem.
Ghost Jobs Detection
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