What is career catfishing, the Gen Z strategy to irk ghosting corporates?

Have you ever sent out countless CVs to job listings, only to be met with complete silence? It’s a frustrating experience many can relate to. However, in a surprising twist, a growing number of Gen Z workers in the UK are turning the tables on unresponsive hiring managers.

This act of rebellion, coined as “career catfishing,” is gaining traction as a new workplace trend, according to a recent study by the online resume-building platform CV Genius.

But what does career catfishing exactly mean? Here’s a closer look.

What is ‘career catfishing’?

After slogging through the exhausting process of job hunting — submitting countless applications, enduring endless rounds of interviews, and anxiously waiting for updates from unresponsive hiring managers — Gen Z workers have found a way to reclaim the balance of power.

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The rising trend, dubbed “career catfishing,” involves Gen Zs (those aged 27 and under) accepting job offers only to never show up on their first day.

According to a survey by CV Genius, which polled 1,000 UK employees across generations, approximately 34 per cent of Zoomers admitted to engaging in career catfishing.

“Our survey found that Gen Z workers, in particular, reported opting for creative ways to put themselves first before their jobs,” UK-based experts told The New York Post.

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Interestingly, it’s not just Gen Z leading this movement.

The findings also showed that 24 per cent of millennials (aged 28 to 43) have dabbled in career catfishing, compared to 11 per cent of Gen Xers (aged 44 to 59) and just 7 per cent of baby boomers (aged 60 and above).

Unlike their older counterparts, Gen Z workers appear more focused on prioritising their personal needs over conforming to traditional corporate expectations.

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The prevalent ghosting culture

Gen Z alone cannot shoulder the blame for the rise of such behaviours.

Office ghosting — where one party cuts off communication without notice — is now a common phenomenon. According to a 2023 survey by job search platform Indeed, three out of four UK employees admitted to abruptly ceasing contact with potential employers during the recruitment process.

Younger workers, in particular, see such actions as a means of “feeling in charge of their career,” as highlighted in a report cited by Fortune.

Research by Monster found that over a third of applicants who ghosted recruiters did so due to perceived rudeness or misleading information about a job role. Similarly, applicants without degrees were more likely to ghost employers when hiring managers took too long to respond.

In fact, ghosting has gotten to a point where 75 per cent of candidates—and 74 per cent of employers—admit that it is part of the hiring landscape, per separate surveys of over 4,500 job seekers and employers from Indeed.

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Why career catfishing could backfire

For Gen Z, landing a stable, full-time job has become an uphill battle. According to Fortune, the graduating class of 2025 is expected to apply to more jobs than their predecessors, with applications already up by 24 per cent compared to the previous year.

However, despite the rising efforts, the job market remains dire. The number of job openings has significantly dropped from 2023 levels, leading to a fiercely competitive hiring landscape.

This intense competition may be pushing Gen Z applicants to accept the first offer they receive, only to later realise it’s not a fit and decide not to show up on the first day.

But while career catfishing might feel like a momentary win, it could be a risky move in the long run.

Gen Z workers are already battling negative perceptions among employers. A report by Resume Builder
found that hiring managers often consider Gen Z to be the most challenging generation to work with.

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Managers and owners identified entitlement, motivation, lack of effort, and productivity as reasons for terminating Gen Z employees. Some even referred to them as the snowflake generation and claimed they were too easily offended, which further justified their dismissal.

The practice of career catfishing could further reinforce these stereotypes, making it even harder for young professionals to build trust with potential employers.

Ultimately, the trend underscores deeper flaws in the hiring process. To prevent such behaviours, both employers and candidates need to prioritise clear communication and mutual respect.

Clear communication, timely feedback, and accountability on both sides could help bridge the growing divide, ensuring hiring processes are as professional as the jobs they’re meant to fill.

With input from agencies