One In Four UK Workers Say They Applied For Non-Existent Jobs, Known As Ghost Jobs

A large share of UK workers now believe they have applied for jobs that were never real. Research from Employment Hero shows that 24% of workers think they have applied for a ghost job. Among people aged 18 to 34, the number goes up to 37%, making younger workers the hardest hit.

The same research shows how hard it has become to tell real vacancies from dead ends. Workers say only 38% of roles appearing in job searches feel relevant. That leaves many people sending applications into a system they do not trust.

Employment Hero says these adverts appear for practical reasons as well as darker ones. Employers may advertise roles to test pay expectations or build lists of potential candidates without hiring straight away. The research also links fake listings to phishing, where adverts collect personal data from jobseekers who feel under pressure to apply.

Why Does The Job Search Feel So Draining?

Ghost jobs are only one issue…

Employment Hero found that 33% of UK workers say their current job was hard to find. Among those aged 18 to 34, the figure rises to 46%, showing how early careers face tougher conditions.

Silence from employers causes the most anger. 8 in 10 workers say they have applied for a job and heard nothing back. 54% describe this lack of response as the worst element of the job hunt, according to Employment Hero.

Long recruitment processes add to the drag with 46% of the workers saying time consuming tasks frustrate them most. Another 44% spoke about the long waits between interviews, and 42% say employers stopped replying after interviews had taken place.

All of these experiences leave many people feeling ignored. Applicants give up hours to forms, tests and interviews, then receive no feedback, which weakens confidence in the hiring system.

Who Is Giving Up And Why Is It A Concern?

Employment Hero found that 61% of UK workers say the hiring process has put them off looking for a new job. Among younger workers the goes to 69%, and among women it reaches 67%.

This retreat from job searching comes at a worrying time. Official numbers show almost 1 million young people are not in education, employment or training. Office for National Statistics data also shows unemployment reached a 5 year high in November.

Employment Hero’s managing director of talent, David Holland, says jobseekers can protect themselves by watching for warning signs. Roles that stay open for months, vague descriptions packed with culture talk, or adverts that avoid basics such as location and hours can signal trouble. He also advises asking one direct question about approval and timelines. Genuine recruiters, he says, should answer without hesitation.

Speaking on the research, Kevin Fitzgerald, UK Managing Director at Employment Hero, said:

“Young people are facing one of the toughest job markets the UK has ever seen. On top of fewer opportunities, many are applying for roles that don’t exist, and even when they do, candidates are being ghosted. This creates a huge trust problem and also stalling career mobility.

“Our mission is to create a fairer recruitment experience for both sides of the market, which is why we’ve created the only platform that connects HR, payroll and recruitment with live candidates in one consolidated system globally- where jobs are real, expectations are clear and people are treated with respect.”