The survey's disheartening findings show that among those who posted fake jobs, “approximately 26% posted one to three fake job listings, 19% posted five, 19% posted 10, 11% posted 50, 10% posted 25, and 13% posted 75 or more.” These fake job postings spanned from entry-level roles to executive positions, according to Resume Builder, which surveyed 649 hiring managers.

Companies gave various reasons for this deceptive practice. Over 60% said they posted fake jobs to make employees believe their workload would be alleviated by new workers. Another 62% wanted employees to feel replaceable, and two-thirds cited a desire to appear open to external talent. Additionally, 59% of companies admitted to posting fake jobs to collect resumes and keep them on file for future openings.

What’s even more concerning is that 85% of the companies engaging in this practice interviewed candidates for these non-existent positions. Stacie Haller, Resume Builder’s Chief Career Advisor, highlighted the troubling nature of this trend. “It’s a concerning scenario, particularly when these misleading postings originate from HR departments — the very entities entrusted with shaping accurate perceptions of their organizations,” Haller said. 

She emphasized that such practices, whether intended to create an illusion of company expansion or to foster a sense of replaceability among employees, are unacceptable. Haller stated, “Workers deserve transparency about the companies they dedicate their time to, rather than being led astray by false representations.”