Career Catfishing Is on the Rise — Here's How to Spot the Red Flags

Turns out misleading resumes aren't the only problem plaguing today's hiring landscape — employers are doing plenty of embellishing themselves. The result is a widening trust gap that's leaving both sides of the interview table frustrated.

The job market has grown increasingly unforgiving in recent years, and it's not just job seekers feeling the squeeze. A new challenge is now complicating the hiring process for employers and applicants alike: "career catfishing."

The phenomenon occurs when either side of the hiring equation presents a deceptive persona. For job seekers, that might mean inflating skills, education, or previous job responsibilities. For employers, it often takes the form of overselling company culture, perks, or role expectations.

A recent survey found that candidates admitted to Resume Genius that they'd been dishonest on their resumes, grossly exaggerating their skill sets. Meanwhile, 70% of hiring managers confessed to a bit of "gig-glazing," or misleading candidates at some point during recruitment.

Career expert Vicki Salemi of job search engine Monster shared some eye-opening statistics on the trend. "Four out of five job seekers tell us at Monster that they've been career catfished. That's significant, we're talking about like 80%," Salemi told ABC7.

"It's where a job, an employer, says that a job is available, and then you start working there, and it's not what was advertised in the job description, or the culture is not accurate, or the benefits are not what was promised, or the pay," she explained.

Whether it's employers dressing up a role or candidates padding their resumes, career catfishing carries real consequences down the line.

Workers who accept a misleading offer often end up dissatisfied, burned out, or heading for the exit early. Employers, meanwhile, risk losing time, productivity, and resources when a new hire's skills don't match what was promised.

Here's how both sides can steer clear of getting duped and land the right match:

For job seekers:

1. Ask detailed questions during interviews. Clarify job responsibilities, team dynamics, and growth opportunities.
2. Look into the company culture. Check reviews on trusted platforms, and see if you can tour the work environment to get a feel for it firsthand.
3. Request written confirmation of compensation and benefits before accepting an offer. Never settle for a verbal agreement alone.

For hiring managers:

1. Use skills-based assessments to confirm technical abilities.
2. Fact-check employment history and education through thorough background checks.
3. Prioritize transparency in job postings. Accurate role descriptions cut down on turnover and build the kind of trust that keeps employees around long-term.

As "career catfishing" becomes an increasingly common headache on both sides of the hiring table, the takeaway is simple: a little honesty upfront can spare everyone a lot of wasted time — and an ugly breakup down the road, or a different path altogether.