ResumeBuilder.com, the premier resource for professional resume templates and career advice, has published a survey report assessing the prevalence of companies posting fake job listings. The report also provides insights into the motivations behind these listings.
According to survey findings, 39% of hiring managers admit their company posted a fake job listing in the past year. In fact, three in 10 companies have active fake listings. Respondents indicate that the idea to post fake job listings originated from HR, senior management, and executives. These listings were intended to create the impression that companies are open to hiring external talent, make companies appear to be growing, reassure employees that their workload will be alleviated with new hires, make employees feel replaceable, and collect resumes for future use.
“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,” says Stacie Haller, chief career advisor at 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.”
Survey results also spotlight the impacts of posting fake job listings on companies, with 68% of respondents reporting a positive effect on revenue, 65% reporting a positive effect on employee morale, and 77% reporting a positive effect on productivity. Additionally, 70% of hiring managers believe it is “definitely” or “probably” acceptable to post fake job listings, while 30% do not consider this practice morally acceptable.
