How to tell if a job listing is real
You cannot prove a listing is real from the ad alone. Check how long it has been up, whether it was reposted, whether applications are closed, and whether the employer confirms the vacancy. kery.io estimates ghost-job risk on jobs you save to a free dashboard. It cannot prove a job is fake.
Checks that stand on their own
- Age: how long has this specific job URL been visible?
- Reposts: is this a new vacancy or the same role put back up?
- Status: does the board say closed or not accepting applications?
- Duplicates: same title and employer on other sites?
- Employer: can you find a careers page or a person who confirms the hire?
kery.io automates the history part for jobs in your dashboard. Guide: how to identify ghost jobs. Tool: ghost job checker.
What this does not prove
A reply from HR, an interview, or a Low score still does not guarantee a real hire. A High score does not guarantee a fake ad. In Australia, misleading ads and illegal pay are separate issues. See ghost jobs in Australia.
Questions people ask
What is the fastest first check?
Open the listing, note the posted or first-seen date, search the title and employer on other boards, and look for a closed or expired status. Then decide whether to apply.
Should I trust a High ghost-job risk score?
Treat High as a reason to be careful with your time, not as proof of fraud. Some long-running ads still hire.
What if the ad is on Seek in Australia?
Paste the URL into kery.io, use the same history checks, and report scams through Seek’s security hub if needed. See kery.io/ghost-jobs-seek/.