What in the World - The ghost jobs haunting your job hunt - BBC Sounds

World Service , · 03 Nov 2026 , · 11 mins

While job hunting have you ever spotted a job ad that never seems to go away? When you apply you don’t get a reply, let alone a rejection. You may have spotted a ghost! Or a ghost job. In fact, it’s happening so much ‘ghost jobs’ was on the shortlist for Collins dictionary word of the year (mogging won in the end). According to a study across the US, UK and Germany up to 22% of jobs posted online last year were listed with no intent to hire. We speak to BBC Business reporter, Megan Lawton about why some companies are choosing to post ‘ghost jobs’ and why some governments are trying to ban them. Plus, we hear from Sundus who is searching for work and we get some tips from Patricia, a career coach from Nyche careers. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mollie Perella and Emma-Louise Amanshia Video Producer: Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde