What in the World
Some employers create job ads with no intent to hire
Episode detailsWorld Service,·03 Nov 2026,·11 minsThe ghost jobs haunting your job huntWhat in the WorldPlayBookmarkBookmarkSubscribeSubscribeAvailable for over a yearWhile job hunting have you ever spotted a job ad that never seems to go away?
When you apply you don’t get a reply, let alone a rejection.
You may have spotted a ghost!
Or a ghost job.
In fact, it’s happening so much ‘ghost jobs’ was on the shortlist for Collins dictionary word of the year (mogging won in the end).
According to a study across the US, UK and Germany up to 22% of jobs posted online last year were listed with no intent to hire.
We speak to BBC Business reporter, Megan Lawton about why some companies are choosing to post ‘ghost jobs’ and why some governments are trying to ban them.
Plus, we hear from Sundus who is searching for work and we get some tips from Patricia, a career coach from Nyche careers.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mollie Perella and Emma-Louise Amanshia Video Producer: Benita Barden Editor: Verity WildeProgramme WebsiteShow lessMore episodes
Full detailed coverage is shown on the council website above. Source attribution: BBC Business.
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