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- 10/23/2025 Newsletter: How to Avoid Fake Job Postings
10/23/2025 Newsletter: How to Avoid Fake Job Postings

10/23/2025
Happy Friday Eve, fam. Before you clock out to hit up the pumpkin patch this weekend, peruse the latest and greatest Impact Jobs on the market. We care about your time and effort, so we personally vet the listings and only give you the best. You’re welcome!
Here's what we got on tap for you today
Meme of the Week
Article of the Week: How to Avoid Fake Job Postings
New Job Opportunities
Win of the Week: Humpback Whales Make Comeback in Eastern Australia
Bummer of the Week: A “Solar Waste Tsunami” is Coming to The States
Meme of the Week

Article of the Week
How to Avoid Fake Job Listings

Whattup, job seekers! Last week, we cried together over how companies post job listings for positions they never intend to fill. This week, we’re gonna talk about WHY they would do such a cruel thing (hint: because they think it makes them look cool).
But don’t worry, we won’t end this newsletter on a sad note. We’re spilling the secrets that the opps don’t want you to know and telling you exactly how to stop wasting your time applying for ghost job listings.
Shall we dive in?

Companies post fake job listings for a few (dumb) reasons:
They want to gather resumes so that when they actually DO have a role to fill, they have a starting place.
They want to learn about current market trends, AKA the kind of talent available, and their salary expectations. They may use the research to help them decide if they’re going to fund a new role.
It makes them look good! Open job listings signal to the competition that their company is growing.
They changed their mind. Sometimes companies intend to fill a role, but then something changes, and they simply forget to take down the job posting.
It incentivizes their current employees to work harder for less pay if they think that their role could be easily filled by someone else.
Like we said, dumb. But you don’t have to fall for it. Here’s how you can tell when a job listing is likely fake:
It was posted weeks ago or has no date. ALWAYS look for the date.
The listing is posted on multiple sites, but with slight tweaks. This is a major red flag that they’re using it for research purposes only.
The posting is filled with vague language rather than clearly outlined expectations, required qualifications, and responsibilities. Also, while not all job postings list the starting salary, vagueness about $$$ is not a great sign.
If the job is listed on multiple hiring sites but NOT on the company’s actual hiring page on their site…run.
Language like “we’re always hiring” or “accepting applications on a rolling basis” = the call is coming from inside the house, babe.

If you aren’t sure whether a job posting is legit or not, you can always contact the hiring manager and straight up ask if they plan to fill the role. You can also rely on your connections to give you an inside scoop, or scan through Reddit to find out if the company you’re interested in has a history of posting ghost jobs.
And of course, we’ve got your back. We vet our job postings and only share legit opportunities in the social impact industry. Scroll down to start applying today.
The best HR advice comes from people who’ve been in the trenches.
That’s what this newsletter delivers.
I Hate it Here is your insider’s guide to surviving and thriving in HR, from someone who’s been there. It’s not about theory or buzzwords — it’s about practical, real-world advice for navigating everything from tricky managers to messy policies.
Every newsletter is written by Hebba Youssef — a Chief People Officer who’s seen it all and is here to share what actually works (and what doesn’t). We’re talking real talk, real strategies, and real support — all with a side of humor to keep you sane.
Because HR shouldn’t feel like a thankless job. And you shouldn’t feel alone in it.
New Job Opportunities






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Win of the Week:
In Eastern Australia, humpback whales are making a comeback that experts describe as miraculous. The population is now around 60% higher than it was before commercial whaling drastically reduced their numbers.
Bummer of the Week:
A “solar waste tsunami” is coming to the US. In 2050, around 78 million tons of solar panels are set to retire, and the industry hasn’t figured out what to do with them. So far, only ten states have policies for recycling solar panels, which is an extremely specific and complicated process.

