The rise of ghost jobs has been causing real frustration for job seekers. According to a 2024 survey from ResumeBuilder.com, 40% of employers admitted to posting job listings with no intention of filling them, and 30% still leave those listings live.
For job seekers, that means hours of time spent applying to jobs that aren’t even real. But it doesn’t end there. These “ghost jobs” were being used to build a resume database, project an image of company growth, or drive traffic to a site, all while leaving applicants in the dark.
What’s even more troubling is how many hiring managers don’t see a problem with this practice. Seven out of ten hiring managers said they believe ghost job postings can boost morale, productivity, and even revenue for their companies. But for job seekers, the impact is lasting. These phantom listings waste time, create false hope, and erode trust in the hiring process, and companies who deploy them, altogether.
Ghost jobs are especially common in industries such as construction, technology, legal services, and food service, where companies often leave outdated listings live, even when no positions are currently available. While some platforms like LinkedIn and Greenhouse are taking steps to mark verified job postings, it’s not enough to solve the problem.
Advocacy groups, such as Truth in Job Ads, are pushing for changes, including the Truth in Job Advertising and Accountability Act (TJAAA), which would require companies to post only real,, open roles. Until then, the growing prevalence of ghost jobs will continue to haunt the job market and frustrate the very people it’s supposed to serve.
A Closer Look at the Truth in Job Advertising and Accountability Act (TJAAA)
As frustration with ghost jobs mounts, lawmakers are beginning to take notice. Introduced in 2025, the Truth in Job Advertising and Accountability Act (TJAAA) aims to crack down on deceptive job postings and bring greater transparency to the hiring process. If passed, it would be a significant step forward in holding companies accountable for the accuracy of their job ads, something long overdue in today’s digital job market.
At its core, the TJAAA would require public job listings to reflect real, currently open roles, rather than “evergreen” positions intended to build a talent pool, inflate hiring statistics, or collect resumes with no intention to hire.
Key Provisions of the TJAAA
The bill outlines several guardrails designed to protect job seekers and restore integrity to the hiring process:
Time-Bound Postings
Employers would be required to remove job listings once they’re filled. This puts an end to the common (and misleading) practice of leaving roles open indefinitely to create the illusion of growth or recruiting activity.
Hiring Outcome Transparency
Companies would need to report hiring results, disclosing how many candidates were considered, interviewed, and hired. It’s a move toward greater accountability, providing job seekers with more clarity about what’s happening behind the scenes.
Data Protection for Applicants
The bill includes provisions to prevent unnecessary or exploitative data collection during the application process, safeguarding job seekers’ personal information from misuse.
Enforceable Penalties
Oversight would fall to the Department of Labor and the Federal Trade Commission. Crucially, job seekers would gain the right to take legal action against employers who post deceptive job ads.
How Job Seekers Can Spot Ghost Job Postings in 2025
The job hunt is hard enough without spending time chasing roles that don’t exist. Yet ghost jobs, fake, outdated, or placeholder postings, are becoming increasingly common. They mislead candidates, distort labor market data, and erode the already fragile trust many job seekers have in the hiring process. But the good news is these listings often come with red flags if you know what to look for.
Here’s how to spot and report ghost jobs before wasting your time:
Vague or generic job descriptions:
Legitimate job listings typically outline clear responsibilities, required qualifications, and information about the company. If the description feels vague, overly broad, or reads like a copy-paste from a generic template, that could be a sign the posting isn’t tied to a real opening.
Posted on one platform only:
Most genuine job openings are shared across multiple platforms, including the company’s official careers page and social channels. If you find a “perfect” role that only appears on a third-party job board and nowhere else, proceed with caution.
Repeated listings without explanation:
When the same job posting keeps resurfacing, or lingers for weeks without a status update, it’s worth questioning. Entry- and mid-level roles in particular tend to fill quickly.
Platforms like LinkedIn often display the duration a job has been posted and the number of applicants who have applied, which can provide helpful context. If a role keeps popping up with no clear reason, it could be a ghost job.
No post-application communication:
If you’ve applied and received nothing in return, not even a confirmation email, it may indicate the position was never intended to be filled. While not all companies respond promptly, total silence after submitting your application can be a sign that the posting wasn’t legitimate to begin with.
What Job Seekers Can Do About Ghost Job Postings
Ghost job postings continue to disrupt the job market and undermine the candidate experience. As trust in the hiring process erodes, new efforts are being made to bring transparency and accountability to job listings. At the same time, job seekers themselves can take steps to protect their time, avoid misleading roles, and focus on real opportunities that lead somewhere.
Look for Verified Listings Tied to Regulations
Under the Truth in Job Advertising and Accountability Act (TJAAA), legitimate job postings would be tracked in a federal database managed by the Department of Labor. Each listing would include a unique tracking ID, meet strict criteria, and have a time limit, helping to eliminate vague, outdated postings and giving job seekers a way to confirm if a role is truly active.
Reach Out to the Recruiter or Hiring Manager When in Doubt
If a job description feels unclear or raises questions, consider contacting the talent acquisition team or hiring manager directly. A short, professional message expressing interest can often reveal whether the position is still open and being actively filled. If there’s no response at all, that may be a sign to move on.
Use Your Network to Find Real Opportunities
Many jobs are filled before they’re ever posted online. Internal referrals and industry connections continue to play a significant role in hiring decisions. That’s why investing in professional relationships, through LinkedIn, industry events, or alumni networks can lead you to real openings that don’t show up on job boards.
Prioritize Recently Posted Roles
Limit your search to jobs posted within the last week. Older listings are often outdated, already filled, or left up by default. Targeting newer posts increases your chances of landing in an active hiring process and reduces time spent chasing dead ends.
Understand Your Legal Protections
The TJAAA will require employers to notify applicants within three business days once a job has been closed. It also allows job seekers to report misleading listings, take legal action if misled, and protects against resume harvesting and data misuse. These protections aim to give candidates a level playing field in an increasingly uncertain job market.
You can’t stop ghost jobs from showing up, but you can choose how you respond. Don’t rely solely on job boards. Start by building relationships inside companies you’re genuinely interested in. Many real opportunities never make it to a public posting. Stay sharp by keeping your skills current and staying attuned to the changes in your industry. And make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile clearly showcases who you are, what you do, and the value you bring. When you combine preparation with focused outreach, you put yourself in front of real roles that are actually worth your time.