Why Aren't Cybersecurity Companies Hiring Despite Job Postings?

You apply to a cybersecurity role. You meet most of the requirements. Weeks pass. You hear nothing. The listing is still live. This experience is common enough that it has its own terminology: the ghost job.

The Ghost Job Economy

Research suggests that a significant proportion of active job listings — some estimates exceed 50% — are not attached to active searches:

• Pipeline building: Collecting resumes for a future hire not yet formally approved
• Internal policy compliance: Demonstrating public advertisement before an internal promotion
• Organisational inertia: A listing that was real six months ago but was filled internally and never deactivated
• Budget uncertainty: Headcount requested but not yet approved, posted optimistically

The Experience Inflation Problem

Even when roles are genuine, published requirements often reflect what an organisation wishes it could hire rather than what it is prepared to hire. A junior analyst role requiring five years of experience and four certifications describes a mid-level candidate — and the organisation may not understand the disconnect.

The Budget Freeze Pattern

Cybersecurity hiring is sensitive to economic conditions. When organisations face cost pressure, security headcount is frequently frozen while responsibilities remain unchanged or grow. Listings may stay live to maintain the appearance of growth or comply with previously approved plans that have since been informally suspended.

How to Work Around It

• Prioritise recently posted listings on company career pages over aggregated job board results
• Look for signals a listing is genuine: a specific hiring manager name, detailed role description, active company engagement
• Reach out directly to the security team or hiring manager alongside your application
• Focus on organisations with recent security incidents, rapid growth, or new compliance requirements
• Apply to MSSPs and consultancies with structural, ongoing demand regardless of economic conditions