Fake job listings are frustrating American workers. Lawmakers are paying attention

Job seekers are increasingly encountering ghost jobs—positions companies advertise online even though they may not actually be available.

These listings have caught lawmakers’ attention across the country as they are taking steps to ban them, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Some of the jobs one is applying for may already be filled, or may never have been real openings at all. A telltale sign? Job postings that seem like an unusually great opportunity yet remain posted for a long duration of time.

About 19% of jobs listed on digital job boards in the second quarter were ghost jobs, according to Greenhouse. The hiring platform counted listings that received applications but generated no hiring activity, including interviews or job tests.

Lawmakers push for change
New York lawmakers approved legislation requiring employers to disclose expected hiring timelines and remove listings after filling positions. Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering similar rules. 

Texas authorities have also launched an investigation into LinkedIn over concerns that some job postings may not represent genuine hiring opportunities.

Ghost jobs can waste precious time and make an already stressful job search even harder. One marketing professional said she had applied for more than 3,000 jobs since her contract ended in May 2025. She often received no response and later noticed some listings had been reposted.

Employers may keep listings active to build candidate pipelines or prepare for future hiring. It also keeps them relevant on job sites. Economic uncertainty can also force companies to pause or rethink approved positions, leaving applicants waiting for answers.