More than a third of survey respondents indicate they’ve lied in an interview—what is the most common fib?
By Gillian Manning
The job search and hiring process have never been easy, but for many, it feels increasingly harder to navigate. Resume Genius surveyed 1,000 job seekers, and half indicated that the search has negatively impacted their mental health—particularly the number of rejections and a lack of communication (a.k.a., “ghosting”) from employers. As a result, people will do what they feel necessary to secure a position.
For some, that’s lying during interviews. According to Resume Genius’s report, 36% of job seekers admit they’ve lied, and another 20% say they’ve at least considered it.
So which fibs are most common? Here’s what survey participants said:
- Reasons for leaving a previous job (46%)
- Years of experience (39%)
- Proficiency with certain skills or tools (38%)
- Responsibilities in a previous role (31%)
- Interest in the role or company (30%)
- Accomplishments or results (18%)
- Salary expectations or previous pay (13%)
- Long-term career goals (12%)
Lying is more commonly reported by younger job seekers, with 43% of Gen Zers self-reporting, 39% of Millennials, 31% of Gen Xers, and 18% of Baby Boomers.
“It’s no surprise that candidates are most likely to fudge their reasons for leaving a previous role. Departure stories are deeply personal–they often involve conflict, burnout, or being let go–and candidates worry that the truth will cost them the offer,” says Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius. “Interestingly, relatively few candidates feel the need to lie about salary expectations or long-term goals, likely because those topics feel more negotiable or forward-looking. But past exits feel like a judgment on who you are, which makes them the most tempting thing to spin.”
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