70% of U.S. job seekers lie on resumes — study

TEXAS, UNITED STATES — A new study has revealed concerning trends of dishonesty among some job applicants in the United States, with 70% admitting to lying on their resumes, cover letters, or during job interviews.

The Job Applicant Behavior Survey, conducted by career advice website ResumeLab, polled 1,914 individuals across the U.S. and found the rate of embellishments peaked during job interviews.

According to the research, 52% inflated job titles and responsibilities, 45% exaggerated management experience, and 37% misrepresented employment duration on their resumes.

The study also showed 76% lied in cover letters and 80% during interviews, with 50% and 44% admitting frequent dishonesty, respectively.

Surprisingly, those with advanced degrees were more likely to falsify information, as 85% of respondents with higher education lied on resumes versus 71% without a college degree.

The most common fabrications involved roles, titles, managerial experience, tenure, company names, and skills.

ResumeLab career expert Agata Szczepanek cautioned against unethical practices, warning of potential job loss, legal issues, and reputation damage.

“Instead of lying about employment history, education, or something more, workers should try shifting the focus to the related experience and transferable skills they can offer,” she said.

Szczepanek suggested being honest and highlighting relevant achievements, skills, and experiences when applying for jobs. She noted that lying could lead to immediate or long-term career consequences.

While the competitive job market may tempt some applicants to embellish their backgrounds, honesty remains the best policy. Employers have means to verify information through background checks, references, and skills testing.