Ghost Job Checker: is this job posting real?

Check a posting

Posted more than 30 days agoCheck the posting date on LinkedIn or the job board.

Reposted again and againSearch the exact title on Google and the careers page for older copies.

Vague or copy-paste dutiesCould this description fit any company in the industry?

No salary range, or an unrealistic oneCompare with similar roles on LinkedIn, Glassdoor or Levels.fyi.

No named team or hiring managerThe listing never says who the role reports to.

Recent layoffs or a hiring freezeSearch the news for "[company] layoffs" in the last 6 months.

Missing from the company's own careers pageReal openings usually appear there too.

"Always accepting applications" or "talent pool"Read the fine print in the listing.

Huge applicant count, no recruiter activityLots of applicants, but nobody on the hiring side is posting or responding.

It's been open in your searches for weeksA role that never closes is a warning sign.

0 / 10 Go: this posting looks real Apply, and message the hiring manager directly too. An application with a human connection gets read.

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Let AI do the research for you

Not sure about a flag? Fill in the company and paste the posting, then copy this prompt into Claude, ChatGPT or Perplexity (with web search on).

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Why check before you apply?

Studies estimate that roughly 1 in 7 to 1 in 3 online job postings are ghost jobs, listings for roles that won't be filled any time soon. One 2026 analysis of more than 175,000 US listings found about 1 in 7, rising to about 1 in 5 for senior roles (Clarify Capital via Glider AI). Two minutes of checking can save you hours of tailoring applications that no one will read. Read the full guide: What is a ghost job?

What do the verdicts mean?

• Go (0 to 2 flags): apply, and contact the hiring manager within 48 hours.
• Ask (3 to 5 flags): before applying, message someone on the team: "Is this role actively being hired for right now?"
• Skip (6 or more): don't apply. If you love the company, reach out to the person who would be your boss instead.

This checker gives a quick read, not a guarantee. A posting can look perfect and still go unfilled, or tick a few boxes and be completely real.