Fake Jobs, Why?
In recruitment, everyone’s trying to stand out, grow faster, and get the best candidates.
But there’s one practice that still stirs a lot of debate — posting fake jobs.
If you run or manage a small or medium-sized agency, understanding why some people still do this — and what it really costs — is important.
Let’s break it down properly: no judgment, just straight facts.
First — What Are "Fake Jobs" Anyway?
A fake job is a job ad that’s either:
Totally made up,
Already filled but still posted,
Or not actually available yet.
The goal isn’t to fill the role — it’s to get something else:
Maybe CVs, maybe market info, maybe just traffic to a website.
Why Some Agencies Still Post Fake Jobs
There are a few reasons people try it (even if they won’t admit it):
1. To Build a Bigger Candidate Pool
Sometimes agencies post attractive fake jobs just to pull in more CVs.
They want to stockpile candidates for future needs — not for any real vacancy today.
In their heads:
“We’ll place them eventually somewhere.”
2. To Test the Market
Posting a fake job can be a way to:
See how many candidates are available
Check what salary expectations are
Measure how hard or easy it would be to hire for a certain skillset
It’s like taking the temperature of the market without committing.
3. To Boost Website Traffic
Some agencies or job boards post fake listings simply because:
More ads = more website visits
More visits = better search rankings
More visibility = more leads over time
In other words, it's a short-term hack to look busier than they are.
Why Posting Fake Jobs Backfires (Big Time)
It might seem clever at first.
But fake jobs have a real cost — and it’s bigger than most agencies realize.
1. You Damage Your Reputation
Candidates talk.
And once word spreads that you post fake jobs, trust tanks.
You don’t just lose candidates — you also lose clients who don’t want to be associated with shady practices.
Bad Google reviews, negative Glassdoor feedback, social media rants — it piles up quickly.
2. You Waste Everyone’s Time
Candidates waste time applying to jobs that don’t exist.
Recruiters waste time managing fake applications they can’t actually place.
It’s inefficient, frustrating, and bad for morale on all sides.
3. You Risk Legal Trouble
In some places, posting fake job ads could actually break advertising or consumer protection laws.
Even if you don’t get fined, you’re playing a risky game — and you open the door to formal complaints, investigations, and serious headaches.
There’s a Better Way: Stay Real, Stay Professional
Instead of playing games with fake jobs, smart agencies invest in building genuine opportunities — and being honest about what they can offer.
That’s where good systems come in.
How Chameleon-i Helps You Stay Transparent (and Still Win)
Using a platform like Chameleon-i can make honest recruitment easier, faster, and more scalable.
With Chameleon-i, you can:
Post real jobs across multiple boards instantly
Manage real candidate pipelines without fake bait
Track activity and get clear reports to show clients real progress
Build a reputation for quality and transparency
You don’t have to trick candidates to build a strong agency.
You just need the right tools and the right strategy.
Final Thoughts: Fake Jobs Might Get You Attention — But It’s the Wrong Kind
Shortcuts might feel tempting when things are slow.
But fake jobs will cost you more than they’ll ever bring you.
In the long run, trust, relationships, and reputation are your real currency in recruitment.
Protect them.
Focus on genuine roles, real candidates, real conversations.
Use smart platforms like Chameleon-i to keep everything clean, clear, and efficient.
Because if you do things right, you don’t need tricks to succeed.
You’ll win — the right way.