Lately, I’ve noticed a curious and somewhat frustrating trend in the Indian job market: the rise of ghost jobs. These are job postings that seem legitimate at first glance, but upon closer inspection, they either don’t exist or are no longer being actively filled. It’s a phenomenon that’s been growing, and it’s having a real impact on job seekers like myself.

I first encountered ghost jobs when I applied for a position that seemed perfect for me. I spent hours tailoring my resume, writing a cover letter, and filling out the application form. But after weeks of hearing nothing, I did some digging. I found out that the position had already been filled months ago, yet the listing remained online. It was a frustrating experience, and it made me wonder how common this issue really is.

As I continued my job search, I started seeing more and more of these ghost jobs. They’re everywhere—from small startups to large multinational corporations. Sometimes, companies leave job postings up to build a pool of potential candidates for future openings. Other times, the listings are just a way to gauge the market or test the waters without any real intention of hiring. In some cases, the job postings are simply outdated, left online due to neglect or oversight.

This trend seems to be particularly noticeable in India’s tech and startup sectors, where companies are often in a state of rapid growth or constant change. They want to appear dynamic and expanding, so they keep job listings active even when they’re not hiring. While I understand the need for businesses to stay competitive, it’s disheartening for those of us who are putting in the effort to apply for these positions.

Navigating the job market has become more challenging because of these ghost jobs. I’ve had to become more strategic in my approach—doing more research on companies before applying, networking more actively, and trying to get direct referrals whenever possible. It’s made me more cautious, and I’ve learned to manage my expectations.

The rise of ghost jobs in the Indian market is a sign of the times, reflecting the uncertainties and complexities of today’s economy. For job seekers like me, it’s a reminder to stay vigilant, adapt our strategies, and keep pushing forward despite the hurdles.

Do not hesitate to share me your experience about Ghost jobs as a job seeker.

You can share me your inputs / suggesstions at: mangesh (@) mangesh (dot) in   🙂