The Ghost Job Economy: 1 in 3 U.S. Job Listings Lead Nowhere

/www.myperfectresume.com ^ | November 07, 2025 | By Jasmine Escalera, Career Expert

[RomanSoldier19]

[jroehl]

I would estimate that 9 out of 10 tech job postings are fake.

[Mr. Blond]

I got a lead on a hot modeling job I saw in the Penny Saver. Wish me luck!

[RomanSoldier19]

[RomanSoldier19]

[dpetty121263]

You are correct most job listings today are fake these days that are spun up by either someone in HR, or identity thieves, or these companies gathering resumes for some future project that may or may not ever happen... If fact there are few jobs out there and you have 100’s fighting for a single job and then you have to get past the ATS resume system....

[pissant]

If ‘Career Expert’ Jasmine Escalera says it, then you can take it to the bank

[dpetty121263]

Another point that many of these “Jobs” have unrealistic demands for precise College educations that really do not need a degree or certificate. Also with this ATS system you have to model your resume to match word for word the job description or it gets kicked out... And then there is Ghosting job applicates any point during this process. The days of having a career are over, many companies look as workers as resources and cast away at a whim...

[RomanSoldier19]

Android Central on MSN12d Google’s new advisory exposes rising job scams, fake reviews, and AI traps

Fast Company 27d Recruiters dish on ‘ghost jobs’: Why companies post them, and how to outsmart them

Newsday3mon Scam job offers are spreading fast. Here's how Long Island workers can stay safe.

Zee News on MSN 10don MSN Are You Applying To A Job That Doesn’t Even Exist? 1 In 4 Listings Could Be Fake In 2025

Entrepreneur ‘Ghost Job’ Postings Could Be the Reason You’re Not Getting Hired

[RomanSoldier19]

[dpetty121263]

We had a guy come in after passing all the gate keeper processes and could quote his resume to the letter (dates, degrees,jobs) had it down pat...Problem was that was not his name, had manufactured ID’s and one of the interviewers had a feeling about him. Turned out he was part of a Nationwide group of scammers.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[dadfly]

1 in 3?

it’s probably more like 3 fake to 1 real, imho.

[RomanSoldier19]

[dadfly]

lol.

[SaxxonWoods]

Jobs are a losing proposition by their very nature. Work for yourself and be happy.

[alexander_busek]

Turned out he was part of a Nationwide group of scammers.

So what's the scam here? He wasn't using his real name (you say), so...?

And how are they a "group?" Do they perhaps work as a team?

Regards,

[MachIV]

I can attest that submitting my resume for a multitude of job postings on job boards such as Monster, Indeed, and more local boards was one of the most abject fruitless endeavors I ever wasted time on. I finally just worked with local recruiter ing firms when my regular job finally went away.

[FLT-bird]

Finance 44%. Since I'm in this sector I can tell you this rings true. You can have absolutely impeccable qualifications...the kind of difficult to obtain qualifications others cannot fake or lie about because they would be found out instantly on any background check...lots of experience which is also impossible to fake....apply for scores of roles for months and never even get a hint of interest.

There simply aren't that many people who have the specialized education and experience required. That a lot of those listing must be fake must be the case.

[FLT-bird]

Yes. I've been doing projects for banks for 20 years. The point about priorities suddenly shifting, permissions to hire being held up or somebody higher up suddenly pulling the plug on a project - sometimes after everybody has been hired - is completely true. I have no doubt some job listings are legitimate when they're posted and then a project gets delayed or cancelled and all those listings now become ghost jobs. That's part of it too.

And yes, I've been on projects that were suddenly cancelled and everybody on it received maybe a day's notice that they were suddenly out of a job. That's why I don't worry a bit about leaving one for another if its in my interest. They've never hesitated to screw me over....