Real-But-Not-Real: How Fake Job Postings Impact Mental-Health and Substance-Use Roles

Jamelia Hand MHS CADC CODP I

“I thought it was my chance at making a real difference,” says Carla, (a licensed counselor colleague). After months of searching for substance-use therapeutic roles, she poured her heart into applications that never stirred a response. Then, she discovered the jobs were likely never meant to exist.

In fields like substance use counseling and mental health support, demand is often high but that doesn’t make the job market immune to fake or ghost job postings.

These listings can look legitimate but are often not tied to real vacancies. What has led us to this conclusion?

• A 2024 Resume Builder survey found 40% of companies posted fake job listings in the past year; 30% currently have active ones.

• A Greenhouse study in early 2025 estimated that 18–22% of posted roles were never filled.

• Another analysis suggests up to 40% of all listings might be bogus, often used to project growth or collect resumes.

• Wikipedia confirms that ghost job postings (advertisements for non-existent or already-filled positions) are increasingly common and can serve purposes like internal morale-boosting or resume harvesting.

Why do organizations do this?

• To create the appearance of growth or capacity, appealing both to internal teams (relieving overworked staff) and external audiences

• To build a pipeline, keeping resumes ready for future openings

• To engage in brand signaling, suggesting dynamism even when hiring is paused.

  
  

Impact on Job Seekers in Substance Use and Mental Health Fields

For professionals seeking meaningful roles, often mission driven and emotionally demanding, ghost postings can be especially damaging.

• Wasted efforts and emotional strain: Job seekers invest time crafting personalized applications, sometimes enduring assessments or interviews that go nowhere.

• Erosion of trust: Discovering that a "therapist-in-training" or "rehab counselor" listing is fake can make applicants question the transparency of healthcare organizations.

• Career fatigue and demoralization, especially when roles are scarce and motivation is tied to community impact.

  
  

  

How to Stay Vigilant and Focus on Real Opportunities

Experts recommend several strategies to help spot, avoid, or mitigate the impact of ghost postings:

1. Check posting dates and activity level. Long-open listings (weeks or months) can be red flags.

2. Compare listings across sites. If a job appears only on a board but not on the organization’s official site, be cautious.

3. Reach out directly. Contact a hiring manager or someone in the organization to confirm the role’s status.

4. Look for verified badge programs. Some platforms now denote verified listings.

5. Trust your instincts. Vague descriptions, lack of clarity on duties or pay, or repeated reposts are worth questioning.

   
   

How Vantage Can Help

Vantage recognizes how crucial transparency is in roles tied to mental health and substance use support.

• Curated job listing: We partner with vetted organizations committed to genuine hiring, ensuring each job we re-post is real and accountable.

• Verified posting labels: Roles are clearly marked when reconfirmed with hiring teams, helping to increase your trust.

• Insider insights: We can often provide context such as whether a position is newly opened, part of a pipeline, or truly urgent to help you prioritize applications.

• Application support: Timely feedback, coaching, and referral introductions so you are not left hanging in limbo.

• Mental health-specific advice: Guidance and resources tailored to the emotional context of these roles, recognizing the extra investment and vulnerability involved.

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