Ghost job ads are becoming a major frustration for job seekers, with employers posting roles that never actually exist or intend to be filled. These phantom listings waste applicants' time as they customize resumes and cover letters for positions that lead nowhere. The problem has grown so severe that lawmakers in states like New York and Pennsylvania are proposing legislation to ban ghost jobs.

In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into LinkedIn over allegations it advertised and profited from fake job postings. According to hiring platform Greenhouse, approximately 19% of jobs advertised on digital job boards in the second quarter were ghost jobs, highlighting the scale of the issue plaguing the modern job market.