Have you ever applied for a job that seemed like a perfect fit, only to hear nothing back—despite the posting remaining online for weeks or even months? If so, you may have encountered what’s become known as a “ghost job.”
Ghost jobs are job postings for positions that companies have little or no immediate intention of filling. While not every unfilled position is a ghost job, the practice has become increasingly common and can be incredibly frustrating for job seekers.
In an analysis of June 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, employers reported having 7.4 million job openings, but made only 5.2 million hires. This means that thirty percent of job postings never resulted in a hire — or nearly one in three job postings were ghost jobs. Ghost jobs are not entirely new.
So why would a company advertise a job it isn’t actively hiring for?
One reason is to build a pipeline of qualified candidates. Employers know that business needs can change quickly, and maintaining a pool of potential applicants allows them to move faster when a position opens. Some positions stay open online indefinitely and are now commonly called, “evergreen postings.”
Some organizations also leave job postings active because they’re evaluating internal candidates or waiting for budget approval. Posting the role publicly may be required by company policy, even if an internal employee is the leading candidate.
In other cases, companies use job postings to gauge the talent market. By reviewing applications, they can better understand the availability of skills, salary expectations, and the level of interest in certain roles without committing to an immediate hire.
A more surreptitious reason may be that the company is positioning itself to be acquired or shopping for a buyer. Posting a large number of unfilled positions gives prospective buyers the impressions the company is aggressive, successful, and growing.
While these practices may make business sense, they create significant challenges for job seekers. Spending hours tailoring resumes and cover letters for jobs that may never be filled can lead to frustration, burnout, and the mistaken belief that you’re doing something wrong.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the impact of ghost jobs on your search.
Pay attention to postings that have been continuously advertised for months or repeatedly reposted. Research the company on LinkedIn and other professional platforms to see whether employees are actually being hired into similar roles. Most importantly, don’t rely exclusively on online job boards. Networking, employee referrals, recruiter relationships, and direct outreach to hiring managers often lead to opportunities that never appear in a public job posting.
Remember, not every application will result in an interview, and that’s not always a reflection of your qualifications. Today’s hiring process is more complex than ever, and some job postings simply aren’t active hiring opportunities.
The most successful job seekers recognize this reality and adapt their strategy accordingly. By combining targeted applications with networking, a strong LinkedIn presence, and a customized resume, you’ll spend more time pursuing genuine opportunities—and significantly improve your chances of landing your next role.
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Donald J. Strankowski is a two-time author, active public speaker, and a regular guest on FOX 31 Great Day Colorado. He is founder and president of Ascend Career and Life Strategies, a career management and professional development firm for businesses, professionals, and executives. Since 2001, Ascend has helped people land a better job, improve their level of performance, change careers, or start their own business. Serving customers across the US and internationally, Ascend offers best in class career advisement and professional services for any individual or company looking to gain a key competitive edge. Schedule a free consultation today.