Are you guilty of telling a little white lie on your resume? You’re not alone. According to a recent survey by Resume Genius, 48% of job seekers have either lied or considered lying on their resumes.
In the 2024 Lying on Resumes Report, based on an original survey of 1,000 managers, 29% admitted to lying on their resume. While 14% confessed to blatant lies, 15% admitted to minor exaggerations.
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“Our findings reveal that resume dishonesty is a common temptation, especially when job seekers feel pressured to appear more qualified or conceal career gaps,” explains Geoffrey Scott, senior hiring manager at Resume Genius.
The most common lies included covering up career gaps (31%) and exaggerating job tenure (30%). Lying about tech skills (24%) and language proficiency (22%) were also prevalent.
Some of the most brazen individuals admitted to fabricating entire companies and positions on their resumes.
Interestingly, men were 1.5 times more likely to lie than women, often regarding job titles. The survey also found that Gen Z is the generation most prone to resume embellishment, with 56% admitting to or considering lying. They were followed by Millennials (50%), Gen X (40%), and Boomers (37%).
Eva Chan, lead career expert at Resume Genius, warns that while the pressure to impress employers is high, lying on your resume is never the solution. “It’s always possible to get caught, and the long-term consequences, like a damaged reputation or lost job opportunities, aren’t worth the risk,” she added.
Instead, Chan recommends focusing on highlighting your strengths and showcasing your ongoing efforts to upskill in order to stand out to potential employers.