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Four in 10 businesses have posted a fake job listing this year, and 30% currently have an active fake employment ad.
"It's a concerning scenario, particularly when these misleading postings originate from HR departments — the very entities entrusted with shaping accurate perceptions of their organizations," said Stacie Haller, chief career advisor for Resume Builder. "Whether it's to create an illusion of company expansion or to foster a sense of replaceability among employees, such practices are not acceptable."
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Resume Builder recently surveyed more than 600 hiring managers to learn whether – and why – they posted fake listings. The primary motivations are both to motivate employees and make the company look better. Businesses posted fake job listings to:
- Make it appear the company is open to external talent (67%);
- Act as if the company is growing (66%);
- Make employees believe their workload would be alleviated by new workers (63%);
- Have employees feel replaceable (62%); and
- Collect resumes and keep them on file for a later date (59%).
"Employees deserve transparency about the companies they dedicate their time to, rather than being led astray by false representations," Haller said. "Any tactic aimed at undermining employees' sense of value and security is deplorable. Ultimately, fostering an environment of trust and honesty not only benefits individual employees but also contributes to the long-term success and reputation of organizations."
The C-suite often is behind the decision to post fake job listings, led by human resources (37%), senior management (29%), executives (25%), investors (5%) and consultants (4%). Listings are posted for multiple job levels, including entry-level (63%), mid-level (68%), senior-level (53%) and executive-level (45%).
Nearly 7 in 10 respondents said fake listings had a positive impact on revenue, while two-thirds reported a boost in employee morale and three-fourths said the listings increased productivity. Nevertheless, only 43% of hiring managers believe the practice is morally acceptable, while 27% said it probably is acceptable. Thirty percent said it is not acceptable. Posting fake listings is an unnecessary distraction in today's job market, Haller said.
"The frustration candidates experience due to fake job postings exacerbates the already stressful job-search process," she said. "Companies engaging in this practice not only tarnish their reputation but also sabotage their long-term prospects. Deceptive practices erode trust, dissuading potential applicants from considering them in the future as viable employers.
"As media scrutiny intensifies, there's hope that this unethical trend will diminish over time. By spotlighting these issues, we pave the way for a more transparent and equitable hiring landscape."
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Alan Goforth
Alan Goforth is a freelance writer in suburban Kansas City. In addition to freelancing for several publications, he has written a dozen books about sports and other topics.
