Ghost job checker

What is a ghost job?

A ghost job is a posting for a role that isn’t really being filled. It may have been filled already, put on hold, or kept open to collect resumes or make a company look like it’s growing. Applying to ghost jobs costs you time and rarely gets a reply.

How this checker works

We open the job page the way a browser would and look for signs that the posting is closed: an error page, a redirect to the general careers page, a closing date that has passed, or wording such as “no longer accepting applications”. Most company job boards also publish the date a job was posted, which we use to tell you how old it is.

A page that is still online isn’t proof the role is being filled. Treat the result as one signal, alongside the warning signs below.

How to tell if a job posting is still active

• Find it on the company’s site. If the job is on a job board but not on the employer’s own careers page, it may have been removed.
• Check how old it is. Postings open for more than two months are more likely to be filled or on hold.
• Watch for reposts. The same role posted again and again, with a fresh date each time, can mean the company is collecting resumes rather than hiring.
• Look for specifics. Real openings usually name a team, a manager, a salary range, and a clear list of duties. Vague, generic listings are a warning sign.
• Ask. A short message to the recruiter is the most reliable way to confirm a role is open.