Fake jobs refer to online listings for roles an employer does not intend to hire for. A Survey by Resume Builder found that as many as 4 in 10 companies (among 649 managers surveyed) indicate they have posted a “fake job listing” in 2024, and 3 in 10 companies are currently advertising for a role that is not real.  According to the survey, hiring managers are most likely to post fake openings for entry-level and mid-level roles.

Common reasons for posting fake jobs:

• Advertising nonexistent openings may have a positive impact on a company’s revenue by making it appear as if the company is growing faster than it is.
• The practice may increase employee morale by making over-extended staffers feel their workload will soon be alleviated.
• The practice may boost productivity by making employees feel las if they are replaceable and have to prove themselves against a potential newcomer.
• Hiring managers may keep fake listings up in order to collect resumes to keep on file for later.