As a talent acquisition professional with over 9 years of experience, I often hear job seekers expressing confusion about the seemingly paradoxical situation in today’s job market: countless job postings online, yet relatively few successful placements. While some conclude these postings must be fake, the reality is more nuanced.
Understanding Multiple Job Postings
When companies are hiring for a position, they typically source candidates from multiple platforms rather than relying on a single source like LinkedIn or Naukri. This multi-platform approach helps ensure we receive enough qualified resumes to choose from. This means you might see what appears to be the same job posted in 5-10 different places – and yes, these postings are usually legitimate.
Why Finding the Right Candidate is Challenging
Despite the abundance of job seekers, several factors narrow down the candidate pool significantly:
- Company-specific requirements limit the number of qualified candidates. Each role has particular specifications that must be met, which naturally reduces the pool of eligible applicants.
- Training cost considerations often lead companies to prefer experienced candidates over freshers. Some companies are unwilling to invest in training programs, while certain roles inherently require experienced professionals.
- Budget constraints play a crucial role. While HR teams can provide market insights, they don’t set budgets. Fixed salary ranges can further limit the pool of suitable candidates.
The Reality of Recruitment
Finding the right candidate often feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Many businesses and hiring managers overestimate their advantage in terms of labor supply, not realizing how their specific criteria dramatically reduce the available candidate pool. However, this situation varies by role and industry.
Legitimate vs. Fake Job Postings
It’s important to understand that posting jobs isn’t free. Most job boards limit free postings to one position, and additional postings come at a cost. Professional recruiters are typically too busy filling actual positions to waste time and resources on fake listings.
How to Spot Fake Job Postings
The key red flag to watch for is the absence of official recruiter email addresses. Instead, fake postings often ask candidates to “comment interested” below the post. This is typically an engagement bait tactic designed to:
- Increase profile visibility
- Generate engagement metrics
- Build follower counts
- Collect data for marketing purposes
Protecting Yourself
The best way to protect yourself from fake job postings is to avoid engaging with posts that lack professional contact information or ask you to comment instead of applying through official channels. Legitimate recruiters will provide clear application instructions and professional contact details.
Remember: Real opportunities come through proper channels with clear application processes, not through comment sections.
