On top of this, when asked, 81% of companies said that they have posted ghost jobs. The reasons behind this can be so that the company is open to new talent, to show company growth, to show employees that their workload would be alleviated by a new worker or lastly to collect data of potential future employees and keep their details on file. This is also reflective of the above article where recruiters said that remote work has boosted the applicant quality, opening them up to a greater talent pool of selection, meaning that they can be picky and be on the lookout for prospective employees without necessarily intending to employee them at that time. More malicious companies out there are not just collecting data but are also doing so for financial gain. Let’s have a look at some of the warning signs of a fake job.
- Too good to be true
Overpromising is quite common with fake jobs as they are trying to attract as many people as possible. They may offer a very high salary, countless bonuses or a very flexible schedule that seems to tick all the boxes in terms of balancing life and work. Use your gut feeling and take a step back, do some research before falling for something that doesn’t sound quite real.
- Job description is vague
These jobs will also lack clear job responsibilities and requirements. Usually for a high paid job a legitimate company would expect an increased level of responsibility and detailed duties. There would also be a strict and comprehensive list of requirements. If the explanation is not clear and the emphasis is throughout the text prompting to you applying for the job i.e. distracting you from job role description, it could be because it is not a real vacancy.
- Grammatical errors
A legitimate company will want to show professionalism and aim to attract the best candidate. Therefore, a job advert will be double, or triple checked to ensure no errors are made. The advert is a reflection of their company.
- Absent online presence
If you’re onto a job vacancy that doesn’t seem real to you and have the foresight of checking it out online (Good on you ☺) but you struggle to find it online, then you know that is might a ghost job. Illegitimate job roles will come from illegitimate companies so a quick search online can flush them out.
- Recruiter contacts you
The standard process involves you applying for a job which is followed by a letter or email confirming your invite for an interview. When a random recruiter contacts you out of the blue this should ring alarm bells. If they are insistent in promising you a job offer without an application process, this could be a tell-tale sign.
- Pressure tactics
If you get multiple emails asking you to provide an answer to their job offer because there is an “imminent expiry date” or too many applicants, this should make you wonder about the company’s culture but also about its legitimacy. No real company out there would pressure you into accepting a job. The company would need to show professionalism giving you time to decide.
- Unprofessional recruitment process
If a recruiter tries to organise communications via WhatsApp or text it could be because this way they can stay “hidden” whilst collecting some more information i.e. your telephone number so they have direct access to you without stopping unless you block that number. A real company looking to employ for a particular role will have a professional recruitment process which involves communication via email and interview in person or over a known work platform like Teams or Zoom. Also, not organising an in-person meeting where you can meet your employer is also a sign of ghost advert.
- Asking for money upfront
This is a worrying sign. You should never have to pay upfront to start a job. Usually this would be large amounts of money. Your employer should provide the tools and equipment for you do your job. There could be some fees during the recruitment process like background checks with some jobs, but these costs should be transparent and supported by legal documents. Also you should be able to find these easily online.
Tips how can you avoid fake jobs?
- Use legitimate job websites some examples include: Indeed.com, Find a job.co.uk
- Look on their website as they may also have their vacancies on there too
- Look up the company prior to applying. If you can’t find a trace of them online that means they are probably fake.
- Consider in-person meeting. This is standard and it shows commitment to employing the right person, giving you time to meet and get to know them before making a decision. It reflects transparency and provides reassurance.
- Share with those around you and consider reporting a fake job so other scan avoid the same experience
Need some more help?
10 Ways to explore career options
Keeping learner safe whilst studying (please add link to blog)
CEIAG (Career Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) workbook for apprentice
Resources:
2024 Recruiting survey finds 81% of recruiters have posted ghost jobs