Which Generation Is More Likely to Lie on Their Resume?
Lying on a resume has become surprisingly common, especially among young professionals. Many job seekers tweak their job titles, exaggerate their responsibilities, or inflate their skills. They’re often thinking if they can make it past the initial screening, they’ll prove themselves in the interview. However, hiring managers and recruiters are catching these strategies pretty quickly these days.
GEN Z IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Who is the most likely to lie? A Career.io survey of 1,000 full-time workers found that Gen Z is the most likely to lie on resumes, with 47% admitting to exaggeration, followed by Millennials at 38.5%, Gen X at 20.4%, and Baby Boomers at just 9.4%.
Dishonesty takes different forms, but the most common areas include exaggerating job responsibilities (23%) and falsely claiming employment at a company (22%). The survey also found that men were much more likely to lie than women, with 33.2% admitting to resume exaggeration compared to 21.1% of women.
Certified Professional Career Coach Amanda Augustine gave her thoughts on why so many job candidates take this risk. “Many job seekers believe that if they can just get through the initial resume screening and land an interview, they’ll have a real shot at impressing the hiring manager. That belief often leads some candidates to stretch the truth. But even small exaggerations can come back to bite you.”
‘PRESENT YOUR EXPERIENCES STRATEGICALLY’
Lying on a resume is a high-risk, low-reward game. Recruiters have an arsenal of tricks like background checks, reference calls, skill tests, and a multi-interview system to check for consistency. A Checkster survey found 70% wouldn’t hire a resume liar, even with a “good reason.”
Rather than fabricating details, Augustine advises job seekers to present their experience strategically. Employment gaps, for example, can be minimized by listing only years instead of months. Freelance work, professional development, and volunteer roles can demonstrate valuable skills without misrepresenting qualifications.
“If you’re worried your experience isn’t a perfect fit for a position, focus on reframing your information rather than falsifying it,” Augustine advises. “A resume is a marketing tool – it’s meant to showcase your strengths, but it also has to remain truthful.”
Next Page: Suzy Welch’s career advice to grads.
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