Recruiters need to be wary when looking through job applicants and conducting interviews because a new study* has discovered that almost a third of Brits (31.7%) admit to lying during the recruitment process. 

Recruiting the right person for a job is not easy and with almost a third of Brits telling lies throughout this process, it doesn’t seem to be getting easier. Employers need to be aware of the most common lies being told, so they can consider this when reviewing job applicants’ answers. 

The top 5 lies Brits are telling recruiters:

Reasons for leaving their previous employer

The most common lie British job seekers tell is related to why they 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 fear that the reasons for leaving their previous job could affect their interview outcome. Some people may be trying to conceal that they were fired or let go.

Current salary

This was the second most common deception, with 22.8% of those who admitted to lying and 7.2% of Brits overall lying about this. Let’s be real, no one wants to quit a job just to get a new role with the same salary. Salary deception is particularly rampant in London, with 14.6% of candidates admitting to inflating their pay – the highest of any region.

• Employment dates 

Lying about employment dates was tied as the third most common lie in the UK, with 20.0% of those who admitted to lying and 6.3% of Brits overall lying about this. The North West led the way in fudging employment dates with 11.6% of residents lying about employment dates. There are several reasons people choose to lie about employment dates such as hiding employment gaps, concealing job hopping or meeting the job requirements.

Previous duties

Lying about previous duties was tied third with lying about employment dates in the UK, 20.0% of those who admitted to lying and 6.3% of all Brits lied about this. The East Midlands stood out for embellishing previous job responsibilities, with 13.6% admitting to doing so – far exceeding any other region. Lying about previous duties may be related to trying to boost seniority or to align with job requirements.

Educational qualifications

The fifth most frequently fabricated detail is educational qualifications, 5.8% of all Brits and 18.2% of those who admitted to lying admit to having done this. Enhancing career prospects, compensating for a lack of experience and gaining a higher salary are all potential motivators for this lie. The Midlands takes the lead when it comes to this lie, with the West Midlands (11%) and East Midlands (10.6%) leading the way in academic exaggeration.

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.”

*conducted by Tapt