Job seekers report getting ghosted by employers and are wary of applicant tracking systems—so, they’re lying on their resumes.  

By Gillian Manning 

Job hunting in 2026 is often frustrating for every involved party, leading to a growing number of candidates to adopt a new tactic: “skills manifesting.” According to the 2026 Job Seeker Insights Report from Resume Genius, 36% of surveyed job applicants admit to listing skills on their resumes that they do not yet possess but intend to learn if hired. 

“’Skills manifesting’ is really a signal of how competitive and fast-moving the job market has become, with AI playing a major role in accelerating that shift,” says Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius. “Many candidates aren’t trying to mislead—they’re trying to show they can grow into the role as quickly as the role itself is evolving.” 

AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini top the list of “manifested” skills, with 37% of respondents admitting to overstating their proficiency in automation. This trend is most prevalent among younger workers; 44% of Gen Z applicants say they have added a skill they plan to learn later, compared to just 15% of Baby Boomers. 

Other key findings from the report are: 

• 68% believe applicant tracking systems (ATS) make the search process harder; 

• 67% of candidates fear their resumes are rejected by algorithms before a human ever sees them, leading many to feel forced into “keyword stuffing” with skills they’re still learning; 

• 55% of job seekers cite “ghosting” after applying as their primary frustration with the application process;  

• 80% fear AI will replace jobs in their field; and 

• 49% say job hunting has negatively affected their mental health. Major contributing factors include rejections (47%), not hearing back from employers (46%), financial pressure (45%), trying to stay motivated (45%), and feeling unqualified (35%).  

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