Career Catfishing: The Truth Behind Job Market Deception (2025)

Ever suspect a coworker isn’t quite the rockstar their resume promised? Or started a new job that differed greatly from the glossy job description? Welcome to the era of career catfishing. Borrowed from the dating world’s “catfish” (someone who uses a false persona to deceive others), this term refers to job seekers misrepresenting their skills or experience to land a role. It’s the professional twist on “fake it till you make it,” and it has employers—and honest candidates—on edge.

Career catfishing isn’t the same as imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is an internal struggle with feeling like a fraud despite being qualified, whereas career catfishing is an active deception. The catfisher isn’t doubting themselves; they’re deliberately embellishing credentials. For example, someone might claim mastery of software they barely know or invent a management role they never held. It’s bold, unethical and surprisingly common, according to new data.

In its latest poll, Monster found that only 13% of workers admit to career catfishing. While most workers claim they don’t engage in career catfishing themselves, 85% believe it is morally wrong. Yet, many suspect it’s happening around them. More than 67% of workers suspect they work with at least one career catfish who inflated their credentials to land the job.

The issue is even more widespread on the employer side. The same survey found that 79% of workers feel they were catfished by an employer at least once; the job they landed wasn’t what was advertised. Maybe the “exciting role” turned out to have dull or completely different responsibilities, or the famed “great company culture” was nowhere to be found. This two-way street of exaggeration and unmet expectations points to a broader breakdown in hiring transparency. Job seekers feel pressure to oversell themselves, and employers sometimes oversell the job. Trust continues to be in short supply.

The ethical gray area here is tricky. On the one hand, lying to land a job can backfire spectacularly—especially if you cannot perform the duties you claimed to be qualified for. On the other hand, some candidates rationalize it. Some embellishments can feel like survival in a cutthroat market of automated screenings and inflated job requirements. Psychologists note that job insecurity and even imposter feelings fuel this trend. If employers demand a “unicorn” candidate, some applicants justify tweaking their history as a form of resistance to unfair hiring norms. Still, the consensus is that two wrongs (candidates lying, employers overpromising) don’t make a right—they just make a mess.

How To Combat Career Catfishing

Career catfishing thrives in environments where transparency and trust are low. Employers and job seekers alike have the power to disrupt the cycle and build a job market grounded in honesty and fairness.

Employers—Be Radically Transparent

For hiring managers, it’s important to start with job descriptions that reflect reality—not the idealized version of the role.

• Clearly outline the role's day-to-day responsibilities. Be upfront about realistic growth opportunities within the company. Highlight any deal-breakers that could impact a candidate’s experience or success.
• During interviews, communicate the company culture and expectations honestly. Don’t sell the dream if you can’t deliver it.
• Revise your hiring processes—rely less on keyword-stuffed resumes and more on skills-based assessments or practical tasks. When employers focus on potential over perfection, they permit candidates to show up authentically.

Job Seekers—Lead With Honesty And Curiosity

It might be tempting to inflate your credentials, especially when competing against a sea of applicants. But a role you’re not truly qualified for will quickly turn into a source of anxiety and burnout.

• Focus on what is real—your strengths, adaptability and willingness to learn. Let that authenticity come through in your resume and interviews.
• Vet the companies you’re applying to—ask tough questions about team dynamics and company values. If a recruiter’s answers sound too good to be true, they probably are.
• Treat the hiring process as a two-way street—it’s not just about getting hired but also about making sure the job is truly right for you.

Career catfishing highlights a trust gap in today’s job market. Bridging that gap means rekindling a little old-fashioned honesty. In an age of deepfakes and polished profiles, authenticity can be a rare commodity; it’s one trend we’d all benefit from reviving. After all, the ultimate career move is not faking it, but earning it.