LinkedIn is working with hiring software company Greenhouse to crack down on a rise in so-called ghost jobs.
Driving the news: These are positions that don’t exist or that the company has no intention of filling, and now represent one in five LinkedIn job postings. According to the Wall Street Journal, the ‘verified’ labels are pinned to job postings that are confirmed to be genuine.
- Around 40% of U.S. firms admitted to posting a ghost job in the first half of 2024, which was linked to efforts to keep tabs on talent or to give off the appearance of growth.
- Some are only posted to comply with laws requiring public and private organizations to post jobs publicly, even if a position has already been promised to a candidate internally.
Why it matters: The job hunt is already a rejection-riddled undertaking, especially in Canada where there are 2.4 unemployed people for every vacant job. Experts say that ghost listings only add to the frustration of looking for work in a tough market.
In Canada: Ontario passed new legislation in October that will force companies to disclose when a position actually exists and needs to be filled. The law also requires employers to follow up with applicants that they’ve interviewed — a first in Canada.—LA