When it comes to resumes, it's common to tell a little bit of lies. In fact, a new survey from online career resource platforms resume genius Research has found that 48% of job seekers have lied or considered lying on their resume.
exist Lies in 2024 Resume Reports,based on Original survey of 1,000 managers29% of respondents admitted to lying on their resume. 14% admitted to telling blatant lies, while 15% said they had told minor lies or slightly exaggerated.
“Our findings suggest that resume dishonesty is a common temptation, especially when job seekers feel pressure to appear more qualified or to conceal career gaps,” said Jeffrey ScottSenior Recruiting Manager at Resume Genius.
The two most common lies were covering up career gaps (31%) and exaggerating working hours (30%). Meanwhile, lying about technical (24%) and language skills (22%) was also common.
Some of the most dishonest people have admitted to fabricating entire companies and positions.
Men are 1.5 times more likely to lie than women (often because of job title), and of these generations, Gen Z is the biggest liar. 56% admit they have lied or considered lying on their resume, followed by Millennials (50%), Generation X (40%) and Baby Boomers (37%).
Eva ChenIn today's automated systems, job seekers may feel like they have to lie to get ahead, but that's not a smart move, says Resume Genius' lead career expert.
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“While the pressure to impress employers can be intense, lying on your resume is never the answer,” Chen said. “Getting caught is always a possibility and the long-term consequences, such as reputational damage or loss of job opportunities, are not worth the risk.”
Chen recommends focusing on your strengths and “showing that you're continually upskilling” to stand out to employers.
