Ever wondered how honest people really are when job searching? Turns out, not very. New research from Tapt has revealed that one in three Australians (33%) admit to lying during a job search—proving that resume fraud is alive and well in today’s competitive market.
Surveying over 1,000 people, the study sheds light on the most common fibs, who’s telling them, and why the pressure to impress is pushing candidates to blur the truth.
What are Aussies lying about?
For the 33% who confessed, the top lies cover everything from messy exits to inflated salaries:
- Why they left a job – 33% of liars (10.9% of all Aussies). Dodging awkward conversations about being fired or frequent job-hopping.
- Employment dates – 30.6% (10.1%). Smoothing out gaps for a cleaner timeline.
- Previous duties – 21.4% (7.1%). Making roles sound more impressive than they were.
- Current salary – 20.1% (6.6%). Pumping up pay to negotiate a better deal.
- Job titles – 18.4% (6.1%). Giving themselves a fancier title for extra flair.
And the list goes on—some even fib about skills, education, and, in rare cases, criminal history. (You can check out the full list of common lies here.)
Why the sudden surge in job search fibs?
Australia’s job market is a pressure cooker right now. Unemployment sits at 4.1%, yet there are still around 413,000 job vacancies (ABS, 2025). Competition is fierce, with LinkedIn reporting a 15% rise in applications per role since 2022, especially for entry-level roles. For many candidates, particularly younger Aussies, the temptation to tweak the truth comes from a desire to stand out. The data shows:
- Men fib more than women: 34.9% vs. 31.2%.
- Young people lead the way: 43.9% of 25–34-year-olds admit to lying, compared to just 15.4% of over-65s.
- South Australia and NSW top the charts for dishonesty (36.1%), while Queenslanders are the most honest (30.1%).
Why? Fierce competition and the fear of being judged for job gaps or short stints are likely driving people to “tidy up” their résumés. 62% of employers dislike job-hoppers (SEEK, 2024), which adds to the pressure to make career moves look more stable than they might be. Lying on résumés isn’t exactly new, but in today’s tight job market, the stakes are higher. For employers, it’s getting harder to separate fact from fiction. But spotting the fibs doesn’t mean ruling out the candidate altogether. In fact, this climate is an opportunity to see beyond the résumé and assess real potential.
Elon Datt, Founder and CEO at Tapt, suggests job seekers focus on the truth—just framed in the best light: “Rather than fabricating details, job seekers should focus on positioning their real experience in the best light. Tailoring a résumé to highlight key skills and achievements is a smart approach—but accuracy matters. Employers value candidates who can demonstrate their strengths honestly, as trust and credibility go a long way in securing the right role.”
How employers can spot the fibs
If you’re on the hiring side, here’s how to stay sharp:
- Cross-check dates, duties, and titles via LinkedIn and references.
- Ask why candidates left past roles—if answers are vague, press gently for details.
- Use practical tasks, portfolios, or scenarios to confirm candidates can do what they claim.
- Career breaks or short-term roles aren’t red flags anymore. Focus on what the person brings to the table now.
Yes, competition is tough. But at the end of the day, the truth matters. Whether you’re applying for a job or hiring for one, honesty is still the best policy—because trust is what keeps great careers (and great teams) growing.
Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
33% of Aussies lie on job applications. New research exposes the truth about resume fraud, revealing the most common fibs and how to spot them. News, Aussie Dynamic Business
