The silence that follows after submitting a job application can be disheartening and frustrating, but oftentimes, it’s beyond your control. This could be because you’ve come across a “ghost job” or “ghost listing” – a situation where employers keep a job listing active even when they’re not actively hiring or the search has stalled. Career coach Becca Carnahan explains that there are various reasons why these inactive job listings exist.
For instance, a company may have decided not to fill the role, or they may have already filled it but haven’t taken down the listing from all platforms. Alternatively, the posting could still be up, but the company is deep in the interview process with top candidates, meaning they’re not actively considering new applicants at the moment. There may also be internal employees who are being considered for the role, even though the posting is publicly shared.
As a job seeker, it’s important to be strategic in order to avoid wasting time on ghost listings that are less likely to lead to a job offer. Here are some tips on identifying and avoiding them:
1. Consider the posting date: Pay attention to when the job listing was posted. Generally, the longer a listing has been up, the higher the chances of it being a ghost listing. A survey by Clarify Capital found that 27% of managers admitted to keeping inactive job listings up for over four months. In some cases, managers do this to motivate employees or create the impression that the company is growing. However, this isn’t fair to job seekers who believe the listing is active and may get their hopes up.
To avoid wasting your time, prioritize applying to roles that have been posted within the past two weeks. Ideally, submit your application within the first few days of a listing going live.
2. Check the company’s website: Many job boards scrape job listings from company websites. This means that even if a job has closed on the company’s site, it may still be visible on other platforms. To find out if a job is still available, visit the company’s website and see if it’s posted there. It’s also recommended to apply through the company’s site instead of using quick apply options or applying through job boards. If the job isn’t posted on the company’s site, it’s likely a ghost posting.
3. Utilize job board alerts: If you have a specific company or industry in mind, there are job board sites that can help tailor your search. Platforms like Otta can send alerts to job seekers interested in specific job types, such as tech jobs. This way, you’ll be one of the first applicants to apply when a new job is posted. Additionally, consider applying on a Sunday, as recruiters often clear their inboxes on Monday mornings and tend to focus on fresh applications from the weekend.
4. Ask directly: Instead of playing the guessing game, reach out to someone at the company who can provide information about the status of the job listing. If you’re genuinely interested in the role, it’s worth finding the hiring manager or potential hiring manager on LinkedIn and expressing your interest. Ask them directly if they are still considering applicants for the role. Even if the answer is “no,” reaching out can still benefit you by establishing a connection with the company and making yourself known for future opportunities.
5. Don’t lose hope: If you come across a listing that appears to be a ghost but it’s for a job you really want, don’t give up just yet. Depending on the industry, it’s possible to get a job through an older listing. This is especially true for high-demand roles with high turnover rates, such as customer service positions. Recruiters often use standing postings to continuously recruit candidates as positions become available. In these cases, the best practice for employers is to clearly indicate that it’s a “General Consideration Application” and that candidates should apply with the expectation that they will be considered for future openings.
Remember, recruiters are always on the lookout for talent, regardless of whether a specific job is open or not. Building relationships with hiring teams through direct outreach can increase your chances of being considered for future opportunities. So, if you’re genuinely interested in a job or a company, don’t hesitate to make your interest known, even if it doesn’t lead to an immediate job offer.
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