Ghost Job Postings in Australia: How to Spot and Avoid Fake Job Listings
What Are Ghost Job Postings?
Ghost job postings are job advertisements for positions that either don’t exist, have already been filled, or that employers have no real intention of filling. These listings appear on job boards, company websites, and LinkedIn, wasting job seekers’ time and emotional energy.
Why Do Ghost Jobs Exist?
Understanding why companies post fake jobs helps you identify them:
1. Building Talent Pipelines
Companies keep job ads open to collect resumes for future positions, even when no current vacancy exists.
2. Testing the Market
Employers post jobs to gauge candidate availability and salary expectations without committing to hiring.
3. Internal Compliance
Some organisations must advertise externally even when they’ve already selected an internal candidate.
4. Creating Appearance of Growth
Companies may post jobs to appear successful and expanding to investors, clients, or the public.
5. Overworked HR Departments
Sometimes postings simply aren’t removed after positions are filled due to administrative oversight.
Red Flags: How to Identify Ghost Job Postings
🚩 Posting Age
- Job ad has been active for more than 30 days
- Same position re-posted multiple times over months
- “Evergreen” listings that never close
🚩 Vague Job Descriptions
- Generic responsibilities that could apply to any company
- Lack of specific requirements or qualifications
- No clear reporting structure mentioned
- Missing salary range or “competitive salary” only
🚩 Unrealistic Requirements
- Entry-level position requiring 5+ years of experience
- Demands for every skill imaginable
- Requirements that don’t match the role’s seniority
🚩 Poor Communication
- No response after applying
- Automated rejection emails only
- No follow-up after initial contact
- Recruiter doesn’t respond to questions
🚩 Suspicious Company Behaviour
- Company has multiple similar positions always “hiring”
- No clear company information or website
- Job board listing differs from company website
- Position not mentioned on company’s LinkedIn page
How to Protect Yourself from Ghost Jobs
✅ Research Before Applying
Check the Company:
- Visit the company’s official website
- Review their LinkedIn company page
- Check recent news about hiring or layoffs
- Read employee reviews on Glassdoor
Verify the Position:
- Search for the job title on the company’s career page
- Check if the role is listed on multiple platforms
- Look for signs of active recruiting (recent posts, engagement)
✅ Use Your Network
- Connect with current employees on LinkedIn
- Ask about the role in industry groups
- Check if anyone in your network knows about the position
- Look for employee posts about hiring
✅ Track Application Dates
Keep a spreadsheet with:
- Date applied
- Follow-up dates
- Response received
- Job posting date
If you don’t hear back within 2 weeks, consider it a ghost job and move on.
✅ Customize Your Approach
Don’t waste energy on ghost jobs:
- Spend 10 minutes max on applications to suspicious listings
- Save detailed cover letters for verified opportunities
- Focus on jobs posted within the last 7-14 days
✅ Contact the Hiring Manager Directly
- Find the hiring manager on LinkedIn
- Send a polite message expressing interest
- Ask about the position’s status
- Request an informational chat
What to Do If You Suspect a Ghost Job
After Applying:
- Wait 2 weeks for initial response
- Send one follow-up email to the recruiter or HR
- Move on if no response after follow-up
- Don’t take it personally – it’s not about your qualifications
During Application:
- Ask directly: “Is this position actively being filled?”
- Request timeline: “What’s the expected hiring timeline?”
- Inquire about urgency: “When do you need someone to start?”
Report Suspicious Listings:
- Flag fake jobs on job boards (SEEK, Indeed, LinkedIn)
- Report to Fair Work Australia if fraud is suspected
- Share warnings in job seeker communities
Statistics: The Scale of the Problem
Global Data:
- Approximately 20-30% of job postings may be ghost jobs
- 20% of job seekers have been searching for 10-12 months or longer
- Average time wasted per ghost job: 2-4 hours (application + follow-up)
Australian Context:
- With unemployment at 4.1%, competition remains high
- Many job seekers report applying to 50+ positions without responses
- Ghost jobs particularly common in tech, marketing, and entry-level roles
Real Signs of Legitimate Job Postings
✅ Green Flags:
- Posted within the last 7-14 days
- Specific salary range mentioned
- Clear job description with actual responsibilities
- Named hiring manager or contact person
- Application deadline clearly stated
- Detailed requirements that match the seniority level
- Company actively promoting the role on social media
- Quick initial response (within 1 week)
Tools to Help Identify Ghost Jobs
1. Job Board Filters
- Filter by “Posted in last 7 days” on SEEK
- Use LinkedIn’s “Date Posted” filter
- Check Indeed’s posting dates
2. Browser Extensions
Some tools flag old or suspicious job postings automatically.
3. Company Research Tools
- LinkedIn: Check company activity and employee posts
- Glassdoor: Read interview experiences
- Google News: Search for recent hiring announcements
4. Application Tracking
Use spreadsheets or apps to track:
- Response rates by company
- Average time to hear back
- Companies with repeat ghost postings
Questions to Ask Recruiters
During Initial Contact:
- “Is this position currently open and actively being recruited for?”
- “How many candidates are you interviewing?”
- “What’s the expected timeline for hiring?”
- “Why is this position vacant?”
- “Who would I be reporting to, and can I speak with them?”
If Answers Are Vague:
Consider it a warning sign. Legitimate recruiters should provide clear answers.
Mental Health Impact and Coping Strategies
The Emotional Toll:
- Frustration from unanswered applications
- Self-doubt about qualifications
- Anxiety about job search length
- Burnout from repetitive rejections
Coping Strategies:
- Set daily application limits (quality over quantity)
- Track legitimate opportunities to see real progress
- Take breaks from job searching
- Connect with other job seekers for support
- Remember: Ghost jobs reflect the system, not your worth
Alternative Job Search Strategies
Focus on:
- Networking: 70% of jobs are filled through connections
- Direct company contact: Email hiring managers directly
- Recruitment agencies: They have real, verified openings
- Industry events: Meet employers face-to-face
- LinkedIn engagement: Comment on company posts to get noticed
Australian Resources for Job Seekers
Official Support:
- Services Australia JobActive: Verified job listings
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Report fraudulent job ads
- Australian JobSearch: Government job board with verified listings
Community Support:
- OzSparkHub Community Forums: Share experiences with other job seekers
- Reddit r/AusJobs: Discuss suspicious job postings
- WhirlPool Forums: Career advice and job listing reviews
Key Takeaways
✅ Ghost jobs are common – approximately 20-30% of postings may be fake or inactive ✅ Focus on recent postings – Apply to jobs posted within the last 7-14 days ✅ Research before applying – Verify the company and position existence ✅ Track your applications – Identify patterns in non-responses ✅ Don’t take it personally – Ghost jobs reflect system issues, not your qualifications ✅ Adjust your strategy – Spend less time on suspicious listings ✅ Network actively – Personal connections lead to real opportunities
Final Thoughts
Ghost job postings are frustrating, but recognizing them saves you time and emotional energy. Focus your efforts on legitimate opportunities, and remember that quality applications to real jobs beat quantity applications to ghost postings.
If you’re struggling with your job search, consider using OzSparkHub’s job search tools to track applications, identify patterns, and focus on opportunities that lead to real interviews.
Need Help?
Mental Health Support:
Last Updated: October 2025 Data Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, LinkedIn, Reddit Job Search Communities