The Truth About Lying to Get a Job: Insights from 2023 Data
Understanding the Prevalence of Lying in Job Applications
In today's competitive job market, the pressure to stand out is immense. For some, this means embellishing certain aspects of their resume or even outright lying.
According to recent survey from ResumeLab, it's estimated that nearly 70% of job seekers have lied on their resumes at some point. This statistic might seem surprising, but it underscores a significant issue in the hiring process - the candidate due diligence process is clearly broken.
The Most Common Lies Told by Job Seekers
Understanding what candidates are most likely to lie about can offer insights into the pressures they feel. The most common areas where job seekers exaggerate or fabricate include:
- Education: Inflating GPA scores or claiming degrees not earned.
- Work Experience: Extending employment dates or enhancing job responsibilities.
- Skills: Listing proficiency in software or languages that they barely know.
Resume Embellishment is Rampant
| Education Attainment Level | Respondents who lie frequently | Respondents who lied once or twice | Total |
| Masters or Doctoral Degree | 58% | 27% | 85% |
| Bachelor or Associates Degree | 30% | 33% | 63% |
| No college degree | 29% | 42% | 71% |
Lying during Interviews is Common
| Education Attainment Level | Respondents who lie freqently | Respondents who have lied once or twice | Total |
| Masters or Doctoral Degree | 63% | 25% | 88% |
| Bachelor or Associates Degree | 38% | 38% | 76% |
| No college degree | 31% | 53% | 84% |
Conclusion: Do More Due Diligence
The 2023 data underscores a critical issue in the hiring landscape: more than ever, to find the best people, hiring managers need to trust, but verify.