The silence you encounter after you’ve applied for a position can be frustrating and demoralizing. Unfortunately, which potential employers respond to your job application and which ones do not is something you cannot control.
Often, that unresponsiveness you experience is because you encountered what is known as a “ghost listing” or “ghost job,” which refers to a trend in which employers leave a job post in place for roles they aren’t actively hiring for or in which they’ve abandoned their search for candidates.
According to career experts, these inactive employment listings remain for several reasons.
Sometimes, a company changes its mind and decides against filling the position or may have already filled it but has failed to remove it. In other cases, the employer is deep in the interviewing process and has already chosen its top candidates, so they’re not actively considering any new applicants. Often, job postings are shared publicly even though internal employees have already been targeted to take the position.
If you are looking for a job, it is important to avoid ghost listings because they are the ones that will less likely lead you to a position at a time when you might need it the most.
In this post, we’ll offer four tips to spot and avoid ghost listings.
TIP #1: FIND OUT WHEN THE EMPLOYER POSTED THE LISTING.
One of the best ways to identify a possible ghost listing is to determine when the employer posted it. The longer it’s been posted, the more likely it’s a ghost listing.
Experts say that it is not unusual for employers to maintain inactive job posts to motivate existing employees and give the impression of company growth. Of course, this practice is unfair to job hunters who are ultimately tricked into believing that the job post is active.
By employing this technique and being selective when applying for a job, experts say you can save valuable time and reduce the stress of your search.
Consider applying to jobs posed within the last two weeks and, whenever possible, submit a job application within a few days of the job listing going live.
TIP #2: CROSS-REFERENCE JOB LISTINGS WITH THE COMPANY’S WEBSITE.
Often, a job board will “scrape” employment opportunities from a company’s website and publish them independently. For that reason, experts say that a position may be filled and the listing removed from the company’s website, but it still exists online.
The best way to determine if the job remains available is to check the company’s website to see if it’s still posted. If it’s still open, applying for the job directly through the company website is also a good idea. You have likely found a ghost listing if it’s no longer visible on the employer’s website.
TIP #3: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALERTS AND OTHER JOB SEARCH TOOLS.
If you know which employer or which industry you want to work for, many job board websites allow you to tailor your job search. Many recruitment platforms can alert you to jobs you are interested in, allowing you to be one of the first applicants.
TIP #4: ASK DIRECTLY IF THE JOB IS STILL AVAILABLE.
If you are interested in a job that has been up for a while, avoid guessing and find out directly from someone within the company.
Experts note that a simple LinkedIn search can help you find potential hiring managers to whom you can express interest in the job and ask them directly if they’re still looking for applicants.
Experts say this can benefit the job seeker, even if the job role has been filled because they connect with the employer and inform them of their interest in the company. That can help the job-seeker stand out in the future by allowing them to build valuable connections with team members.
The bottom line is that if the job listing is one that you have an interest in, it never hurts to let the company know, even if it doesn’t immediately lead to being hired. Whether the position is still open or isn’t, employers are always searching for new talent and potential job candidates.
MASTERING THE JOB HUNT IN A SEA OF GHOST LISTINGS
Navigating the job market can be challenging, especially when encountering many ghost listings. These inactive job postings can lead job seekers on a wild goose chase, wasting valuable time and energy. However, armed with the right knowledge and strategies, you can increase your chances of spotting and avoiding these elusive listings.
Remember, job hunting requires perseverance and patience, but avoiding ghost listings and staying proactive increases your chances of landing that ideal position. Even if the specific job isn’t available, building relationships with employers and demonstrating your interest in their company can open doors to other opportunities down the road.
WORK WITH STANDBY PERSONNEL
If your goal is to move up in your career, find a new job, or get started down a new path altogether, Stand-By Personnel is here to help. Our experienced Tulsa staffing agency can help you find full-time or part-time employment. Contact Stand-By Personnel today.