ResumeTemplates.com, a leading platform for professional resume templates and examples, recently published a survey report examining the frequency of cheating or dishonesty during the hiring process. The survey, which included responses from 1,759 recent job seekers in the United States, provides insights into the prevalence and motivations behind such behavior.
Survey Findings on Cheating Behavior
- Prevalence of Cheating:
- 71% of job seekers admitted to cheating during the hiring process in the past two years.
- Breakdown of frequency: 15% “always” or “often” cheat, 20% “occasionally” cheat, and 35% “rarely” cheat.
- 29% of respondents claimed they have never cheated.
Motivations Behind Cheating
- High competition from numerous applicants.
- Increased use of virtual interviews reducing perceived risk of getting caught.
- Technological resources making it easier to cheat.
- Anxiety and belief that others could perform better.
- Lack of knowledge on task completion and laziness.
Methods of Cheating
- Online Assessments:
- 22% admitted to cheating.
- Among these, 71% used unauthorized help from Google, 37% used ChatGPT, and 33% got help from another person.
- Interviews:
- 15% cheated during phone interviews.
- 13% cheated during in-person interviews.
- 11% cheated during video interviews.
- Resumes and References:
- 46% gave false references.
- 22% fabricated information on their resumes.
- 13% lied on their cover letters.
Expert Insight
- Andrew Stoner, Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach, attributes the cheating to high competition and the low risk of being caught in virtual settings.
Survey Methodology
- Conducted in May 2024.
- 1,759 U.S. respondents, with 1,250 completing the full survey.
- Respondents had to have searched for a job within the past two years to qualify for the full survey.
The survey conducted by ResumeTemplates.com reveals a significant level of dishonesty among job seekers, driven by high competition and the ease of cheating facilitated by modern technology. These findings underscore the challenges employers face in ensuring the integrity of their hiring processes and highlight the need for robust verification methods.
