Gen Z Leads In Lying On Resumes To Land Jobs, Experts Say "Can't Really Blame Them"
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.
What Do Experts Say
Certified Professional Career Coach Amanda Augustine attributes the dishonesty on job applications to young applicants' eagerness to make a good impression and secure a job opportunity, particularly those with limited experience. According to Ms Augustine, this desperation drives them to embellish or falsify information to stand out and increase their chances of getting hired.
"You hear so much of people complaining about this big resume hole their applications have fallen into, and it's out of sheer desperation that they're trying to enhance their experience in a way that will hopefully land them at least that interview," she said.
"I think it's that sentiment across all generations, but especially this younger generation that has not necessarily had to face the job market before, is really fueling some of these white lies, some of these flat-out lies that they're putting on applications," she added.
Drew Powers, founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: "Exaggeration on a job resume or application is just par for the course across all generations. Gen Z currently has the least amount of time in the workforce, and therefore, the most entry-level job experience. Is a business owner more likely to hire someone whose experience is listed as 'waitstaff' or 'Hospitality Experience Specialist'?...We cannot blame Gen Z for their youth, and I'm OK with a little artistic hyperbole. At least it shows some level of creativity."
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll believes that the real issue isn't Gen Z's dishonesty on resumes, but rather the flaws in the job market. Mr Driscoll believes that lying on a resume isn't illegal. Instead, the problem lies in a system that rewards performative hustle, punishes honesty, and often ghosts candidates after they've invested significant time and effort, such as participating in multiple rounds of interviews and completing hours of unpaid work. Mr Driscoll argued that candidates are navigating a challenging environment, which may lead them to embellish or distort information to stand out.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
8 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Indian Bank posts 24% rise in Q1 net profit, asset quality improves
State-run Indian Bank posted a 24 per cent rise in net profit during the first quarter of 2025-26 (Q1FY26) to ₹2,973 crore, up from ₹2,403 crore during the same period in FY25. The Chennai-based lender's total income also increased to ₹18,721 crore in Q1FY26, up 10.5 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y). Interest earned by the bank rose to ₹16,283 crore in the quarter, compared to ₹15,039 crore in Q1FY25. The bank's asset quality showed signs of improvement with gross non-performing assets (NPA) dipping by 76 basis points (bps) Y-o-Y to 3.01 per cent in June 2025 from 3.77 per cent a year ago. Similarly, its net NPA also reduced by 21 bps to 0.18 per cent in June 2025 from 0.39 per cent in June 2024, according to Binod Kumar, managing director & chief executive officer (MD & CEO), Indian Bank. Its provision coverage ratio (PCR) improved by 154 bps Y-o-Y to 98.20 per cent in June 2025 from 96.66 per cent in June 2024. Slippage ratio was also contained to 0.94 per cent in Q1FY26, in comparison to 1.50 per cent in Q1FY25. Indian Bank's operating profit improved by 5.97 per cent Y-o-Y to ₹4,770 crore in June 2025, from ₹4,502 crore in June 2024. Its net interest income also increased by 2.93 per cent to ₹6,359 crore in Q1FY26. Further, the bank's return on assets (RoA) was up by 14 bps to 1.34 per cent, from 1.20 per cent last year. The return on equity (RoE) increased by 50 bps to 20.26 per cent. During the quarter under review, the bank's gross advances rose by 11.50 per cent Y-o-Y to ₹601,147 crore. Retail, agriculture and MSME (RAM) advances grew by 15.93 per cent Y-o-Y to ₹363,221 crore. The RAM contribution to gross domestic advances increased to 65.34 per cent. Individually, retail, agriculture and MSME advances grew by 16.56 per cent, 16.40 per cent and 14.45 per cent Y-o-Y respectively. Home loans (including mortgage) grew by 10.65 per cent Y-o-Y. Meanwhile, total deposits were up by 9.26 per cent Y-o-Y and reached ₹744,289 crore in Q1FY26. Domestic Casa ratio stood at 38.97 per cent, as on June 30.
News18
13 minutes ago
- News18
Explosion in northern Syria kills at least 6 people, injures dozens
Damascus, Jul 24 (AP) At least six people were killed and dozens injured in an explosion in northern Syria's Idlib province, officials said Thursday. There was no official statement on the cause of the blast. The UK-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the explosion took place in an ammunition depot. The Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, reported that at least six people were killed in the blast, which took place in the town of Maarat Misrin north of the city of Idlib on Thursday. 'This is the death toll only of those recovered by Syrian Civil Defence teams, who continue to search for those trapped under the rubble," the White Helmets said in a statement. Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh in a post on social media platform X that teams were transporting the wounded and dead despite 'continued recurring explosions in the area, which are hampering response efforts." The state-run news agency, SANA, reported four people killed and 116 injured, citing health officials, without giving further details. Syria is struggling to recover from a nearly 14-year civil war that ended with the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in a lightning rebel offensive. During the war, which killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country's pre-war population of of 23 million, Idlib was an opposition-held enclave. The country's current interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa formerly led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an insurgent group based in Idlib that spearheaded the offensive that unseated Assad. (AP) RD RD (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 18:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
How Gen Z is changing the workplace: 4 pros and cons of the new-age employees and how to deal with them
Credit:iSock Gen Z is the plot twist workplaces didn't know they needed. While some praise them for bringing the 'much-needed changes,' others criticize them for doing 'unnecessary rebel and disrupting the office rules. ' Something like—you can hate them, you can like them, but 'Gen Z at work,' you can't ignore their existence. They're harder to win and quicker to leave, but for future-focused organizations, Gen Z's creative demands signal not a threat, but a bold invitation to evolve. How their work-approach differs: Flexibility first The 9-to-5 is ancient history. Gen Zs believe the best time for work cannot be decided based on the clock—it depends on when creativity comes and the brain functions. Sitting at a desk, working while looking at the clock, does not align with most Gen Z brains. For them, work can happen anywhere: on a couch, in a cafe, or even while roaming around the different corners of the office while completing their 'daily steps.' Hybrid and remote work have become more popular because of this generation's work preferences. Credit:iSock Tech in their DNA Raised on smartphones, Gen Z believes in integrating new digital ideas every day at the table and expects workplaces to keep up. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Costco Shoppers Confirm: This Wrinkle Cream Is 100% Worth It Top Beauty Picks Learn More Undo As a result, ideology clashes with people who are not so used to the idea of a digital workspace. But being digital-savvy, it helps them to speed up their work easily and smartly. Redefining loyalty Many recent cases have shown that job-hopping isn't taboo anymore for Gen Z employees. Their equation is simple: if meaningful opportunities or flexible conditions disappear, so does Gen Z—often in search of learning, not just ladders. Mental-health is non-negotiable In the Gen Z work dictionary, a few new terms have been introduced such as mental health days, Fun-Friday, office boundaries etc. Not that these were not important issues before—Gen Z has become more vocal about them. Here, burnout is seen as a red flag, not a badge of honor. They vocally advocate for their own wellness and expect employers to support the same too. Credit: iStock The Challenges of the Gen Z work-approach Short stays, long-term costs Illustrating the statistic that more than 50% of Gen Z employees leave their jobs within the first year if their unique values and expectations aren't fulfilled. Often, they leave with clarity, knowing 'What next?' Sometimes, they move out just because companies don't meet their expectations—without having any other future opportunity in hand. It is problematic for both sides: employees end up getting unemployed and on the other hand, companies face losses as the amount of time, effort, and money they put into the recruitment process all goes to waste. Impatience with hierarchy A generation that is born with the idea of 'immediacy,' it often becomes tough for them to be okay with slow-moving structures. They get impatient easily, which may clash with traditional workplaces that rely on stability and clear chains of command. Credit:Canva Skepticism of leadership Gen Z is less likely to trust management. They believe in their own research, which sometimes becomes extremely useful. However, it also makes them lose many opportunities because of their doubts and overthinking. Sometimes, collaboration across generations becomes so tough that both sides lack interest in the process and end up getting frustrated without the work being done. Too blunt for the boardroom Gen Z is often described as refreshingly direct—sometimes, so much so that older colleagues find their honesty a little 'too frank to handle.' They speak their minds, question established norms, and aren't shy about highlighting issues, whether it's in a project, team dynamic, or company policy. For them, transparency isn't just an aspiration—it's a default setting. This often leaves the higher authority with questions and shock. Credit:iStock
