A man claims he was fired for refusing to post what he believed were fake job listings, commonly referred to as “ghost jobs.”
In a viral TikTok video, user Ceros Whaley (@ceroswhaley) shared his story, which has now been viewed over 929,000 times.
He explained how his refusal to go along with the unethical practice cost him his second job. “You can’t find jobs because of ghost jobs,” read the text overlaid on his clip.
Whaley claims he was fired for refusing to post a job listing he believed to be a scam. “I got fired from my second job because I wouldn’t post a ghost job,” he shared in the video.
What Is a ‘Ghost Job’?
A “ghost job” refers to a job listing that’s posted online, but the position doesn’t actually exist. These fake listings lead job seekers to apply for jobs that are never going to be filled.
Workers have increasingly noticed this trend, where companies post positions that generate thousands of applicants but never result in actual hires.
A study from a couple of years ago uncovered that many companies weren’t actually trying to fill the roles they advertised. While 96% of employers claimed they were actively trying to fill open positions, the data suggested otherwise.
In reality, many companies had no intention of hiring immediately, and some didn’t plan to fill those roles for months—or even years.
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How to Spot a ‘Ghost Job’?
According to Forbes, there are a few telltale signs that a job listing may be a ghost job. First, check how long the job posting has been up.
The average time to fill a position is about 44 days, so if it’s been longer, the listing might be suspicious. Additionally, vague job descriptions are often a red flag.
@ceroswhaley #fyp #storytime #job #foryou #viral ♬ original sound – CerosWhaley
Finally, a quick online search can reveal if the company is genuinely hiring or just creating the illusion of activity.
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Why Was He Fired?
Whaley explained that he worked as a hiring manager and was responsible for posting job listings on platforms like Indeed. He didn’t name his former employer but revealed some questionable practices.
According to Whaley, the company regularly posted ghost jobs to “encourage employees to work harder.” In other words, the fake listings were used to pressure current employees, making them feel replaceable.
“I’ve made maybe 300 ghost job listings,” Whaley admitted in the video. “I’ve made a lot. I’ve made so many; it’s insane.”
Eventually, he decided he could no longer continue this practice, telling his manager, “I don’t feel good about doing this.” He was subsequently fired for refusing to post more ghost jobs.
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Viewer Reactions
Many viewers in the comments section expressed frustration and anger at the practice of ghost jobs. One commenter wrote:
“The corporations have ZERO ethics. If a person applies for a ghost job, not only do they not get the job, the company has ALL of your info.”
Another user pointed out the harmful effects on job seekers, saying, “Ghost job listings are so evil. It’s bad for workers’ mental health, and people who apply never hear back.”
Others suggested that ghost jobs are used to manipulate economic data, with one viewer theorizing, “They also do this to make the economy look like it’s booming.”
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The Bottom Line
Ghost jobs are not only deceptive but also harmful to job seekers who invest time and effort into applying for roles that don’t exist.
If you’re job hunting, keep an eye out for the warning signs of these fake listings to avoid wasting your time.