Episode 90: Recruitment’s Dark Secret: The Truth About Ghost Jobs & AI

Episode notes

Have you ever applied for the perfect job, only to realize it never really existed? What if the job market isn’t just competitive—but haunted? Across job boards and career sites, ghost jobs linger—positions that were never meant to be filled or were quietly abandoned by companies. But job seekers aren’t the only ones being deceived. Fake candidate profiles are also flooding the market, leaving recruiters chasing applicants who don’t exist. These digital phantoms—jobs and candidates alike—waste time, drain energy, and blur the line between reality and illusion. Are you applying for a job that was never real? Or are recruiters screening candidates who don’t even exist? In this episode of Recruiting is No Joke , host Joel Lalgee sits down with Stephen McGrath, Product Experience Manager at Poetry , to uncover the truth about ghost jobs and their impact on candidates. With over 15 years in recruitment—spanning agency, RPO, and in-house roles—Stephen shares deep industry insights, breaking down the role of RPO and ATS systems, the rise of AI in hiring, and the growing disconnect between companies and job seekers.