GUAYNABO, PR, October 14, 2026 – ResumeBuilder.com™,
an easy-to-use online resume builder, has released the findings of its new Ghost Jobs Report. Among the over 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed who searched for a job within the past two years, 86% say they have encountered a job posting they suspected was not tied to an active hiring need.
The experience is so common that it’s no longer just a frustration, it’s reshaping how candidates navigate the job market. Some are checking when positions were posted, verifying openings directly through employer career sites, and researching companies before applying. Others are steering clear of repeatedly reposted positions, prioritizing newer listings, or reaching out to employers and recruiters to confirm an opening is actually active before investing their time.
Key Findings
- Ghost jobs are commonplace: 86% say they have encountered a job posting they suspected was not tied to an active hiring need.
- Interviews no longer mean the coast is clear: 58% say they have interviewed for a position they later suspected was a ghost job.
- Wasting time in an already frustrating job market: 19% estimate spending 4–10 hours pursuing positions they later questioned, while 8% estimate spending 11–20 hours and another 8% more than 20 hours.
- The frustration has real consequences: 39% say they have experienced increased stress or frustration, 32% have lost trust in employers, and 20% say they are less motivated to continue applying.
- Candidates are learning the red flags: 38% cite stale job listings that remain active too long, appear outdated, or stay posted after being filled as the biggest indicator of a ghost job
- Job seekers are adjusting how they search: 34% check when a position was originally posted, while 32% verify openings on employers’ career websites.
Ghost Jobs At Every Turn
The prevalence of suspected ghost jobs means candidates are increasingly having to assess the opportunity itself before deciding whether to apply. 86% say they have encountered a job posting they suspected was not tied to an active hiring need.
Respondents reported encountering these postings at high frequencies:
- 20% say very often.
- 20% say often.
- 29% say sometimes.
- 17% say rarely.
- 14% say never.
Wasted Time Can Extend Through the Interview
Reaching the interview stage does not necessarily mean a position is actually being filled. 58% say they have interviewed for a position they later suspected was a ghost job, including 31% saying it happened multiple times and 27% saying it happened once. Candidates can spend significant time pursuing a position before realizing it may not lead anywhere:
- 28% estimate spending 1–3 hours pursuing positions they later questioned.
- 19% estimate spending 4–10 hours.
- 8% estimate spending 11–20 hours.
- 8% estimate spending more than 20 hours.
- 16% estimate spending less than 1 hour.
“The job search is already a numbers game, and job seekers cannot afford to spend hours chasing opportunities that go nowhere,” says Stacie Haller, Chief Career Advisor at ResumeBuilder.com. “Every application, interview, and follow-up takes time, and when that time is spent on a position that may not actually be hiring, candidates lose more than a few hours. They lose time they could have spent finding a real opportunity.”
Ghost Jobs Leave Candidates Stressed and Less Motivated
Ghost jobs are taking a serious toll on candidates and their consequences bring a wide range of negative side effects. While 56% confirm these experiences have wasted their time, the repercussions can extend to stress, job hunt motivation and overall trust in the hiring process.
- 39% say the experience has increased their stress or frustration.
- 32% say they have become less trusting of employers.
- 32% say they have become less trusting of online job listings.
- 23% say they have become less trusting of job sites or platforms.
- 22% say they question whether genuine job opportunities are available.
- 20% say they are less motivated to continue applying.
- 17% say they have delayed their job search.
- 16% say they are less willing to provide personal information.
- 12% say they have paused or abandoned their job search.
- 10% say they have remained in a job they wanted to leave.
- 8% say they have missed out on another job opportunity.
Spotting Ghost Jobs Is Now an Essential Job Search Skill
For today’s job seekers, learning to spot and avoid potential ghost jobs has become a regular part of the job hunt. When asked what made them suspect a posting was not tied to an active hiring need, respondents cited these signs:
- 38% cite listings that remained active too long, appeared outdated, or stayed posted after being filled.
- 34% point to positions that were repeatedly removed, reposted, or advertised.
- 34% cite employer behavior such as receiving no response, having no clear hiring timeline, or seeing an interview process abruptly stop.
- 24% encountered positions that were frozen, canceled, unapproved, or not currently open.
- 19% believe some employers were collecting resumes without clearly disclosing that purpose.
Candidates Are Adapting Their Search
Job seekers are becoming more intentional about how they approach the search. They are checking the details behind listings, verifying openings directly with employers, and becoming more selective about which opportunities get their time and attention.
- 34% check when the position was originally posted.
- 32% verify listings on employers’ career websites.
- 27% avoid positions that have been repeatedly reposted.
- 25% prioritize recently posted positions.
- 23% research employers more carefully.
- 15% contact employers or recruiters before applying.
- 13% apply to fewer positions.
- 13% avoid certain job sites or platforms.
- 11% avoid certain employers.
- 11% provide less personal information during the initial application.
- 9% rely more heavily on networking or referrals.
- 6% report listings they believe are inactive or misleading.
“The unfortunate reality is that ghost jobs have become a fixture of the current job market and now we’re starting to understand the full spectrum of challenges it creates for job seekers,” says Haller. “Ghost jobs are not a minor nuisance, they’re causing a significant waste of time for people who are already having a tough time finding jobs in addition to adding unnecessary stress that’s breaking down trust and making people feel less motivated to find new career opportunities.”
For a comprehensive look at ResumeBuilder.com’s Ghost Jobs Report, access the full study here, or reach out to Alex Murphy at [email protected].
Methodology
The findings presented are based on a survey conducted on August 27, 2026, among 1,011 U.S. adults who had searched for a job within the past 24 months. The survey examined respondents’ experiences with suspected ghost jobs and inactive listings, including what made them question whether positions were actively being filled, time spent pursuing opportunities they later questioned, and the effects on trust and job-search behavior.
The sample consisted of 33% Millennials, 29% Gen X, 20% Gen Z, and 18% Baby Boomers. Participants identified their gender as 51% female, 48% male, and 1% as non-binary.
About ResumeBuilder.com
ResumeBuilder.com is an easy-to-use online resume builder created to help job seekers effortlessly elevate their careers. The platform leverages modern technology to offer a seamless way to build ATS-friendly, professional documents optimized for today’s hiring practices. Millions of professionals rely on its cutting-edge tools, including an AI Resume Builder, a dedicated Cover Letter Builder, and a vast library of specialized resume templates and resume examples to design and download tailored application materials. Through its comprehensive Career Center, the platform provides free expert resume and cover letter guidance from career coaches and certified resume writers, along with workforce surveys and employment research frequently featured in national news. Follow ResumeBuilder.com as a preferred source on Google to receive the latest labor market research and career insights in your personalized search experience.
