MPs Rachel Reeves and more recently Jonathan Reynolds have been caught lying on their CVs. And it turns out their not alone, as a new survey conducted by Tapt revealed 31.7% of British job-seekers admitted to lying during the job search process.
The most common lies British job seekers told were related to why they had left their previous employer. Over a quarter of those who admitted to lying during their job search (26.7%) and 8.5% of Brits overall lied about this. This is likely because people are scared that the reasons they left their previous job may impact their interview outcome. It may also be to hide the fact they were fired or stood down, as this would likely raise questions in a job interview.
Lying about current salary was the second most common deception, with 22.8% of those who admitted to lying and 7.2% of Brits overall lying about this. Rounding out the top five reasons were employment dates, previous duties and educational qualifications. Notably, these factors are all crucial for interviewers when screening potential new employees.
The survey also revealed that women are slightly more likely to be dishonest, 34% compared to 29.3% of men. When it comes to age, younger generations are leading the way in job search fibs, likely to make themselves more “employable”. Almost half (47.9%) of 25-34-year-olds admit to lying to land a role, a figure that steadily drops with age, reaching just 12.9% for those over 65. This is likely because younger generations are more desperate to get a job and gain some experience.
London takes the crown for the most dishonest job seekers, with nearly four in ten residents (39.8%) admitting to lying during the application process – the highest rate across the UK. The West Midlands follows closely behind at 37.8%, while the South West emerges as the most honest region, with only 22.7% confessing to dishonesty.
Elon Datt, Founder and CEO at Tapt says: “Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to job hunting, yet our research shows that many candidates are inclined to bend the truth. Whether it’s inflating salary expectations, tweaking employment dates, or downplaying a career break, job seekers may believe a small lie will give them a competitive edge. However, employers are becoming increasingly skilled at spotting inconsistencies through reference checks, background screenings, and even AI-driven recruitment tools. Getting caught in a lie can seriously damage a candidate’s credibility, not just for one role but across an entire industry. And in some extreme cases, could even land you in jail!
“That said, there’s a difference between outright dishonesty and strategically positioning yourself for a role. Highlighting relevant skills, emphasising key achievements, and tailoring experience to match a job description is a smart approach – but honesty should always come first. This is especially important when networking, where building genuine relationships can lead to long-term career opportunities. Trust and reputation are invaluable in professional circles, and presenting yourself truthfully ensures you’re creating connections that will support your success in the long run.”
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