Ghost Jobs Frustrate Most Job Seekers

A ResumeBuilder survey finds most job seekers have encountered postings from employers that are not actively hiring.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Job Search

Live Poll

Do you trust that job postings you see online reflect real, open positions?

A ResumeBuilder report found 86% of job seekers have encountered a ghost job, and 58% believe they have interviewed for one. Ghost jobs are postings from employers that are not actively hiring, and 39% of respondents say they have increased their frustration.

Why it matters

Some employers are required to post jobs even when they already have a candidate, while others post openings to gauge available talent. For job seekers, the practice wastes time and adds to the difficulty of an already competitive search.

ResumeBuilder surveyed job seekers and found 86% have encountered a ghost job, with 58% believing they interviewed for one. The report does not quantify how many ghost postings are active across the U.S. job market.

The players

ResumeBuilder

A resume-writing and career services company that published the survey on ghost jobs and job seeker experiences.

SLATE

A St. Louis-based organization offering free job search workshops, resume help, and interview preparation for job seekers.

The details

Ghost jobs are postings from employers that are not actively hiring. Job scams, which are fake postings designed to steal identities and money, are a related risk, and one job seeker reported losing $8,000 to a hacking scam.

SLATE's Holly Jolly Holiday Hiring Fair runs December 3 and 4, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Market Landscape

ResumeBuilder's survey shows ghost jobs are common enough that most job seekers have encountered one. Many employers also use AI to scan high volumes of resumes, which can make it harder for applicants to get noticed.

Job seekers should verify that postings are current before investing time in applications and be cautious of unsolicited offers that request personal information. Free resources such as SLATE's workshops can help with resumes and interview preparation.

The takeaway

Applying to a posting is not a guarantee of an open role, so pairing applications with networking and local job programs can help job seekers stay productive. Checking whether an employer is actively hiring before investing time can reduce frustration.