Are Ghost Jobs a Real Thing?

Welcome back!

Booooooooooo (that’s the proper intro for a ghost jobs episode, right?)! This week we’re “unpacking” a wild proposed law about job interviews, a corporate phrase that makes us all feel like scuba instructors and the mystery of ghost jobs - are they real or just a TikTok myth?

• Intro Story: A US state has proposed a bill that would require government investigation if someone didn’t show up for a job interview (imagine that paperwork).

• Corporate Cringe Speak: That phrase about “looking closely” that managers love to throw into meetings (that makes you wish you were snorkeling, unless you’re claustrophobic like at least one Bestie).

• Hot Topic: Are those job postings that never seem to get filled an actual corporate strategy, or just a TikTok myth? We dig into why organizations might leave them up, what it means for job seekers and how managers should think about it.

• Questions & Comments: We swap our favorite go-to movies when you need a mental palette cleanser (let us know yours!).

Discussion Questions (for Your Team Meeting or Podcast Listening Club)

• How can organizations be transparent about job postings so candidates don’t feel ghosted?

• What can we do to think about job openings before they’re posting so we don’t have to start a search from scratch?

• What’s your go-to “reset” activity when work feels overwhelming (movie, walk, snack, etc.)?

ChatGPT Prompts of the Week

Professional:

• What factors should we think through and decide before creating a job posting to ensure clarity on the role requirements, the interview process, and the decision-makers involved?

• How can I recognize when I’ve gone too far into the details of a project and need to step back to maintain perspective?

Personal(ish):

• Give me a list of feel-good movies for me, based on what you know about me.

See you next week - and may your calendar be full of real things, not ghost ones (although tbh, adding a few “ghost meetings” can be nice for some focus time if you need it).

Your HR Besties,
Jamie, Leigh & Ashley

Click here to reach out to us with your questions and comments. We love anonymous intro stories!