Imagine Anna, a skilled software engineer, diligently searching for a new opportunity. She spends countless hours crafting perfect resumes, tailoring cover letters, and applying to dozens of positions.
Weeks go by with no response, not even a rejection email. Frustrated and demoralised, Anna learns that many of the jobs she applied for were never meant to be filled. They were ghost jobs—positions that exist only in the realm of online job boards but have no real intention of being filled.
What are ghost jobs?
Ghost jobs are job postings that companies advertise but have no intention of filling. These phantom listings can serve various purposes, such as creating a false sense of growth, gathering resumes for future needs, or simply fulfilling a company’s obligation to post jobs externally while already having an internal candidate in mind.
How serious is this phenomenon?
According to ExpressVPN, the phenomenon of ghost jobs is a significant issue in the job market today as it creates false hope for job seekers and distorting employment data.
Diana Nevzoreanu, Talent Acquisition Lead at ExpressVPN, commented: “It’s about wasted time and the erosion of confidence in the system. Job seekers might start questioning the legitimacy of all job postings, wondering if applying is even worth the effort.”
Global situation
Globally, the issue of ghost jobs varies by region and industry. In North America and Europe, where digital job boards are widely used, ghost jobs are more prevalent due to the high volume of postings and the competitive nature of the job market.
A recent survey highlights this growing trend. Among over 1,000 hiring managers surveyed, 68 percent acknowledged keeping job postings active for more than 30 days. Moreover, one in 10 respondents indicated that they had a job opening unfilled for more than six months.
African situation
The job market in Africa is particularly vulnerable to ghost jobs. With high unemployment rates, especially among youth, the proliferation of ghost jobs exacerbates the frustration and hopelessness felt by many job seekers.
According to the African Development Bank, youth unemployment in Africa stands at about 12 percent, with some countries experiencing rates as high as 30 percent.
The presence of ghost jobs not only misleads job seekers but also skews the perception of available opportunities, making it harder to tackle the real employment challenges.
Nigerian situation
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, faces unique challenges in its job market, where the prevalence of ghost jobs compounds existing employment issues.
With an unemployment rate hovering around 33 percent as of 2023 and youth unemployment even higher, Nigerian job seekers often encounter ghost jobs that drain their time and resources.
A 2022 study by Jobberman, a leading job portal in Nigeria, found that nearly 40 percent of job postings could be categorized as ghost jobs. This issue is particularly severe in sectors like oil and gas, finance, and IT, where companies frequently post jobs to collect resumes or create a facade of ongoing recruitment activity.
The high rate of ghost jobs in Nigeria exacerbates the already intense competition for real job openings, leading to increased disillusionment among job seekers. This phenomenon also affects the credibility of job portals and recruitment agencies, making it harder for genuine opportunities to stand out amidst the clutter of phantom listings.
Protecting yourself against ghost jobs
Job seekers can take several steps to protect themselves from falling into the trap of ghost jobs:
- Research the Company: Verify the legitimacy of the company and the job posting. Look for recent news, reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and company activity on LinkedIn.
- Network: Use professional networks to inquire about the job. Sometimes, current or former employees can provide insights into whether a job posting is genuine.
- Direct Inquiries: Contact the company directly. A legitimate job posting should have a clear point of contact. If the company is evasive, it might be a red flag.
- Job Boards and Websites: Prefer reputable job boards and company websites. These platforms are more likely to have measures in place to filter out fake postings.
- Look for Patterns: Be wary of generic job descriptions and repetitive postings from the same company. These could be indicators of ghost jobs.
Conclusion
Ghost jobs represent a troubling trend in the global job market, wasting job seekers’ time and resources and distorting employment statistics. While the issue is prevalent worldwide, it has a particularly harsh impact in regions like Africa and Nigeria, where the job market is already strained. By taking proactive measures, job seekers can better protect themselves from these phantom listings and focus their efforts on genuine opportunities.
Anna’s story continues
After months of frustration, Anna decided to change her strategy. She began researching companies more thoroughly, contacting her professional network, and applying directly through company websites.
Her persistence paid off, and she eventually secured a role at a reputable tech firm. Anna’s experience reminds us that while ghost jobs are a daunting challenge, informed and strategic job seekers can navigate the market successfully.
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