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Why is it so hard to find a job now? Enter Ghost Jobs

(arxiv.org)
391 points JSeymourATL | 2 comments | 14 Nov 24 14:35 UTC | HN request time: 0.425s | source
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bradley13 ◴[14 Nov 24 15:10 UTC] No.42136901[source]▶
I once applied for a job that precisely matched my qualifications. It was crazy - the job description could have been written by someone looking at my CV.

I didn't even get an interview. Likely no one did.

It wasn't a ghost job, though. It was a position created for a someone they wanted to hire. Being a public institution, they were required to advertise positions. That didn't mean that they actually wanted any of the candidates who applied.

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yawnxyz ◴[14 Nov 24 15:22 UTC] No.42137039[source]▶
Same, and I've been on the side of being the person they want to hire too.

This should also be illegal, but alas

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karmakurtisaani ◴[14 Nov 24 16:23 UTC] No.42137769[source]▶
I don't think there's anything one can realistically do about this. They probably should get rid of the requirement to have an open application process altogether. If they have someone in mind they will hire, they will hire that person.
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1. HarHarVeryFunny ◴[14 Nov 24 18:23 UTC] No.42139376[source]▶
It also happens (and is very common) for H1-B positions. The company wants to hire someone specific, because they are cheaper, but legally has to advertise the job first to "prove" that they couldn't fill it with a US citizen/resident. So, the normal ploy is to precisely tailor the requirements to the person they want to hire, and then advertise the job someplace where as few as possible people will see it.
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2. dizhn ◴[14 Nov 24 18:43 UTC] No.42139617[source]▶
It's not always because the candidate is cheaper but sometimes the candidate will have already worked there for a while under a different visa and have proven themselves.