Ghost jobs can be frustrating, but there are a few signs to watch for. If a listing has been up for months without updates, vague descriptions, or no specific contact details, it might be a ghost job. Also, check if the company continuously posts the same job without real movement. To avoid wasting time, focus on roles with clear details and recent activity from the employer.

There is no one way to recognize ghost jobs, but some red flags that may indicate one include a poor online company footprint, a lack of detail surrounding the job specifications, no contact information, or repeated postings of the same positions. Be alert, do your research, and be willing to walk away from job postings that don’t add up.

A ghost job is a fishing expedition to test the waters of the talent pipeline, assess salary trends, and boost brand visibility, without an intent to hire. These jobs are tricky to identify, but often will be posted for a long time with no noticeable increase in employee size or new hires noted on LinkedIn. Check Glassdoor reviews and connect with current employees for insider information.

Look for experts and peers in your field: join Groups that reflect your expertise, follow companies of interest, and follow people you admire. Comment on these company, Group, or peer updates, then issue a connection invitation stating your interest in their work. Regular engagement and visibility in these areas will help promote your own skills and make people more likely to network with you.