Ghost jobs phenomenon impacts labor market

The phenomenon of ‘ghost jobs’—job advertisements that remain active despite a company having no immediate intention of hiring—is a growing issue in the labor market, including in Poland. These postings may be used by companies to build candidate databases for future needs, research market salary expectations, or enhance their image as a growing organization without actually filling a vacancy.

Experts note that not every long-standing advertisement is fraudulent. Recruitment processes can be suspended due to budget constraints, organizational restructuring, or a selected candidate withdrawing at the last minute. However, some estimates suggest that between 10% and 20% of job postings may not lead to actual employment, with some international studies indicating that up to 40% of companies have published such offers.

To identify potential ghost jobs, candidates are advised to look for warning signs such as job descriptions that are overly vague, advertisements that remain active for many weeks or months without updates, or a complete lack of communication following an application.