A survey has revealed that nearly 50% of Gen Z (born 1997–2012) admitted to lying on job applications, far outpacing older generations. The survey conducted by career.io showed 47% of Gen Z falsified details to align with employer expectations, compared to 38.5% of Millennials, 20.4% of Gen X, and 9.4% of Baby Boomers. Key areas of fabrication for Gen Z included job responsibilities (28.38%), work experience (22.97%), and job titles (17.57%), with some respondents lying in multiple areas.
The findings, detailed in a spreadsheet shared with Fox News Digital, highlight widespread resume padding among younger workers, from exaggerating skills to claiming incomplete degrees, fueling ongoing debates about application honesty.
A survey has revealed that nearly 50% of Gen Z (born 1997–2012) admitted to lying on job applications, far outpacing older generations. The survey conducted by career.io showed 47% of Gen Z falsified details to align with employer expectations, compared to 38.5% of Millennials, 20.4% of Gen X, and 9.4% of Baby Boomers. Key areas of fabrication for Gen Z included job responsibilities (28.38%), work experience (22.97%), and job titles (17.57%), with some respondents lying in multiple areas.
The findings, detailed in a spreadsheet shared with Fox News Digital, highlight widespread resume padding among younger workers, from exaggerating skills to claiming incomplete degrees, fueling ongoing debates about application honesty.
Why is it concerning?
Gen Zers are already facing criticism in the workforce, with some employers questioning their preparedness and professionalism. According to an Intelligent.com report, one in six businesses is hesitant to hire recent college graduates due to concerns about their preparedness for the work, communication skills, and professionalism.
Six in 10 employers have already fired college graduates hired in 2024, suggesting that some Gen Z workers have struggled to meet expectations. Moreover, one in seven employers might refrain from hiring new college graduates in the next year, indicating that these concerns could impact Gen Z’s job prospects shortly. As a result, Gen Z workers may need to work harder to prove themselves and overcome these perceptions to succeed in the workforce.