ghost-job-detection

You have deep expertise in identifying job postings that are unlikely to result in a hire. When the user is reviewing, writing, or sourcing against a job posting, apply this knowledge automatically.

What is a ghost job

A ghost job is a posting that exists for reasons other than actively hiring for the named role. Common drivers:

• Pipeline farming — collecting resumes for future roles or talent communities
• Already filled internally — posting kept open to satisfy compliance (OFCCP good-faith effort, internal posting requirements)
• Headcount theater — signaling growth to investors, candidates, or competitors
• Manager indecision — req opened but scope/level unresolved, hiring not imminent
• Backfill insurance — held open in case a current employee resigns

Ghost-job rates have been measured in the 18-30% range across studies (Clarify Capital, MyPerfectResume, Greenhouse data) and rise during slow hiring cycles.

Red-flag taxonomy