The Truth About Hiring: Why 36% of Managers Lie to Candidates (And How to Stop It)

A startling Resume Builder report reveals a troubling trend: 36% of hiring managers admit to lying to candidates during recruitment—whether in interviews, job descriptions, or even offer letters.

For HR leaders committed to ethical hiring, this raises urgent questions:

• What are managers lying about?

• Why does it keep happening?

• How can organizations enforce transparency?

Let’s break down the data—and solutions—to protect your hiring integrity.

When and How Hiring Managers Mislead Candidates

The report uncovers when deception most often occurs:

• 76% lie during interviews

• 52% falsify job descriptions

• 24% mislead in offer letters

Worse, 66% of managers believe lying is “somewhat acceptable” at their company—signaling a cultural red flag.

Top 5 Lies Hiring Managers Tell

1. Role responsibilities (40%)

2. Growth opportunities (39%)

3. Career development (38%)

4. Company culture/benefits

5. Compensation or financial health

Why? Managers rationalize deceit to:
✔ “Protect sensitive info”
✔ Cover up company flaws
✔ Attract more applicants
✔ Make roles sound better

The High Cost of Dishonest Hiring

Short-term gains backfire spectacularly:

• 55% of lied-to employees quit upon discovering the truth.

• 14% leave within a week; 35% within a month.

• Turnover drains resources and erodes trust.

How HR Can Enforce Transparency

1. Mandate Training

   • Teach hiring teams the real costs of lying (turnover, reputation damage).

   • Role-play ethical interview scenarios.

2. Audit Job Descriptions

   • Ensure accuracy in role expectations, growth paths, and culture claims.

3. Promote Accountability

   • Tie hiring metrics to manager performance reviews.

   • Encourage anonymous feedback from new hires.

4. Leverage Data

   • Track retention rates for roles with inflated descriptions.

The Bottom Line

Trust is the foundation of hiring. While some managers see deception as a “shortcut,” HR must champion radical honesty—for stronger candidate matches, lower turnover, and a culture of integrity.

Need help refining your hiring process? Bliss HR specializes in ethical recruitment strategies. Contact us to learn more.