A survey of 1,911 U.S. workers conducted by the career development platform The Muse revealed that 79% of respondents have experienced “career catfishing.” This phenomenon occurs when a job seeker accepts a new position only to discover that the role or the company is vastly different from what was presented during the hiring process.
According to the survey, the repercussions of this misalignment are significant. Eighty percent of those who felt they were catfished said they would be willing to leave a new job within six months if it wasn’t what they were led to believe. Furthermore, more than half, at 55%, reported that they had already left a job because it was not as advertised.
What is Career Catfishing?
Career catfishing describes a fundamental discrepancy between the employer’s promises and the reality of the job. The survey identified several common areas where candidates felt misled. These include the day-to-day responsibilities of the role being different than described, a company culture that did not match the one promoted by recruiters, an unexpected increase in job responsibilities compared to the original advertisement, and a manager whose working style was inconsistent with what was communicated during interviews. The Muse’s findings indicate that job seekers often feel tricked or lied to when they encounter these situations.
How to Vet Employers and Avoid Deception
Based on the challenges highlighted by the survey, experts advise job seekers to take proactive steps to verify information provided during the hiring process. The job description should be treated as a marketing document, not an exact blueprint of the role.
Ask specific questions during interviews. Instead of general inquiries, ask targeted questions such as, “What does success look like in this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?” or “What are the biggest challenges someone in this role will face?” It is also recommended to ask the hiring manager to describe their management style and the team’s communication style to get a clearer picture of the work environment.
Connect with current and former employees. Use professional networking sites like LinkedIn to find individuals who have worked at the company, particularly in similar roles. Inquiring about their direct experiences can provide unfiltered insights into the company culture and the realities of the job.
Check online reviews. Platforms like Glassdoor offer reviews from current and former employees. While reading these reviews, it is important to look for patterns and recurring themes rather than focusing on isolated, overly positive or negative comments.
Pay attention to red flags. Job seekers are encouraged to trust their intuition during the interview process. Vague answers to specific questions, a disorganized or rushed hiring process, or inconsistencies in information can all be warning signs that the reality of the job may not match the pitch.
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