Deception in the workplace benefits no one, but there has been an unfortunate rise in misleading practices among both employers and employees. “Career catfishing” is a growing phenomenon of misrepresentation in the workplace, with parties basing work relationships on shaky grounds. Candidates are actively ghost working or using AI to disguise their capabilities, while employers have been found using inaccurate job descriptions to fill in posts without having to reveal the ground realities of the work.
This workplace catfishing trend is a worrisome one as it leaves both sides frustrated, souring their interactions from the get-go. Catfishing in hiring is a matter of concern not just for the current state of work but for the future of employment for years to come, and it is important to address it before matters escalate. Finding a solution starts with understanding the rise of career catfishing and breaking down why it might be a problem for your organization.
The presence of career catfishing during recruitment is evident among both employers and employees, but neither benefits from this misrepresentation.
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Career Catfishing in Recruiting Is a Problem for Both Employers and Employees
Catfishing is not a new phenomenon, and neither is the use of deceptive practices at work, but the increasing number of cases certainly tells us that something is amiss. “Career catfishing” in recruiting refers to the act of providing misleading data during the hiring process, where details are exaggerated or downplayed in order to sell the role or the candidates themselves.
With job seekers, this is seen through inflated resumes, incorrect work details, AI-generated cover letters, and external aid during interviews and tests during the hiring process. With HR teams and recruiters, this is evident when they inflate the company culture and benefits, modify the job description or experience, or leave out key details during the hiring process. In both cases, career catfishing is damaging to the reputation of the individual or organization.
“I took this job because I was promised on-site experience, but it has been a year, and I’ve never left my desk. If I knew that the majority of my role would involve paperwork, then I would have found work somewhere else,” one frustrated employee told us. “I don’t want to leave and have my next employer ask me why I’m hopping from job to job, but I’m disappointed about having no choice but to stay.” Such sentiments are becoming increasingly common among employees who have felt catfished by their employer.
Is There Evidence of the Workplace Catfishing Trend?
There certainly is. A new career catfishing poll from Monster found that 79% of workers feel they have been catfished into taking on a job that was nothing like the description that was laid out for them. This difference has been seen in varying aspects of the work. Around 49% claimed that their actual work responsibilities differed from what they had expected from the role. Additionally, 21% felt the company culture had been misrepresented to them, while 9% claimed the benefits and compensation had been overstated.
On the other side of the fence, 13% of job seekers said they had previously misrepresented their own careers to their prospective employers. Most of their catfishing in hiring came from inflating job responsibilities, but others also admitted to catfishing on skills and abilities, work experience, and their education or certifications.
The respondents to Monster’s career catfishing poll also held strong opinions on such behavior. Over 67% of workers believed they currently worked with someone who had misrepresented their qualifications. An overwhelming 85% of them felt career catfishing in recruiting was morally wrong, with 31% of the opinion that those caught in such deceptive acts should be fired immediately. The strong opinions on the workplace catfishing trend are a clear sign that it is a practice best avoided.
Staying Clear of the New Catfishing Phenomenon Is a Good Idea
It’s easy to believe that a little embellishment doesn’t hurt anyone, but career catfishing can lead to disastrous results that are often hard to undo. Misleading candidates about the exact nature of the job can result in considerable disappointment when they begin their work, with some employees frustrated enough to quit in a heartbeat. This brings on additional tasks of managing their exits and recruiting for the position all over again. Over time, the reputation of the organization takes a hit.
Employees who do not quit aren’t likely to be highly motivated to perform either. In some cases, the career catfishing results in a mismatch between employee and culture, leading to considerable friction that requires intervention to resolve. In other cases, employees lose the desire to be honest in their interactions with the organization, allowing their work to suffer as a result.
Employees who engage in this trend have their own consequences to confront, from being the first to go during layoffs to hurting their future job prospects in the industry. Minor career catfishing may appear to be harmless on the surface, but for HR teams, it is best to act with complete transparency and honesty and find the candidates who fit the organization with ease. Anything less, and the friction will be apparent right from the start.
Have you seen evidence of career catfishing in recruitment? Share your experience with us. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.