Gen Z most likely to lie on job applications

Newsweek - Nearly 50 percent of Gen Z admitted to lying on their job applications, significantly higher than their older co-workers, a new survey said. The age cohort born between 1997 and 2012 was the most likely to lie or exaggerate on their job applications, with 47 percent of young workers admitting to doing so in a career.io report.

Gen Zers have already earned a somewhat negative reputation in the workforce. In a recent Intelligent.com report, one in six businesses said they were hesitant to hire recent college graduates over concerns about how prepared they are for the work as well as their communication skills and professionalism.

And six in 10 employers had already fired college graduates who were hired in 2024. One in seven said they might refrain from hiring new college grads in the next year as well.

While some employers complain of Gen Z's work ethic once they get the job, it turns out many may also be exaggerating or even lying on their job applications.

Nearly half, 47 percent, said they had exaggerated on their job applications, compared to 38 percent of millennials, 20 percent of Gen X and just 9 percent of baby boomers in the survey of 1,000 full-time workers.