Career catfishing: Why Gen Z workers are accepting jobs but not showing up

New hires today are getting through an entire selection process, accepting the job offer, signing the contract – and then disappearing on day one without explanation. This baffling new behaviour has a name: career catfishing.

While it may resemble “stage fright,” some link it to frustration over exhausting recruitment processes or disillusionment with traditional workplace structures.

The phenomenon reflects a cultural shift, especially among younger workers, who – with the new modalities of remote working – find themselves in a position to choose or reject employers, not just the other way around.

When the process pushes candidates away

Career catfishing, a term borrowed from the world of online deception, refers to candidates – particularly from Gen Z – who vanish after accepting job offers, often without any warning or contact.

According to a CVGenius survey, 34% of Gen Z workers have admitted to this behaviour. Comparatively, only 24% of Millennials, 11% of Gen Xers, and 7% of Baby Boomers say they’ve done the same.

Could it be just a lack of professionalism – or a reaction to an increasingly impersonal and exhausting hiring process?

The application experience itself can be gruelling. A typical job seeker today is expected to submit dozens of résumés, write personalised cover letters, complete timed assessments, and sit through multiple interviews often without receiving any feedback at all.

Studies show that it can take between 100 and 200 applications to secure one job offer.

As Dr George Sik, chartered psychologist and director at Eras, puts it:

The hiring process these days can be incredibly slow, frustrating, and exhausting.

“By the time someone gets a job, they may have received a better opportunity elsewhere, changed their mind, or simply lost patience with the whole process,” Dr Sik said.

Widespread ghosting by employers has also added fuel to the fire. In fact, Resume Genius highlights that employer ghosting is now so common that candidates view their disappearing act as a form of justified retaliation.

More than 70% of Gen Z job seekers have expressed frustration over the lack of communication and long timelines involved in job applications, with 50% specifically citing ghosting by employers as a source of resentment.

In this environment, walking away without notice starts to feel less like unprofessional behaviour and more like a survival mechanism.

“Gen Z isn’t ghosting employers for fun. In many cases, it’s a form of silent protest,” said Gurleen Baruah, business psychologist and founder of the management consulting firm That Culture Thing in India.

“Picture this: candidates jump through hoops ... endless interviews, long waiting periods and even being ghosted themselves by employers. When the tables turn, some candidates mirror that same indifference,” Baruah said.

“Career catfishing isn’t about ‘lazy’ Gen Z workers or disappearing Millennials. It’s a wake-up call for organisations stuck in outdated systems. It’s a demand for respect, autonomy, and meaningful work.

It’s a reflection of how corporate culture must evolve to meet the needs of the future.

Read: Gen Z: Daunted, broke and burning out

Gen Z’s expectations and reactions

Beyond the application process, a deeper cultural shift is reshaping how younger generations view work. Gen Z prioritises flexibility, wellbeing, and value alignment more than their predecessors.

A report by Owl Labs found that nearly half of Gen Z workers experience heightened stress, leading many to reject roles that don’t support their mental health or life goals. A significant 53% prefer remote work – even if it means sacrificing promotions or higher pay.

This generational perspective is also fuelled by the rise of automation in hiring. AI tools increasingly screen résumés before they ever reach human eyes, creating further disconnection between candidates and companies. For some, the anonymity of the process justifies pulling the plug at any point even after a contract is signed.

There’s also a growing trend of applicants embellishing their experience or skills to secure offers. With AI-powered résumé builders and fake references easily accessible, some candidates appear more qualified than they truly are, leading to serious issues in team performance and trust once they are hired.

Gen Z faces a unique paradox: while they have more agency in shaping their careers than previous generations, they are also burdened by increased noise, intense competition, and heightened expectations.

As younger job seekers operate in this highly competitive market – where job applications rose by 64% in 2024 while postings declined – they are under pressure to stand out, even if that means stretching the truth.

Read: 5 things Gen Z expects from their bosses

How employers are responding

Facing growing dissatisfaction and unpredictability, employers are shifting tactics. A report from General Assembly revealed that 1 in 4 executives wouldn’t hire today’s entry-level applicants, and only 12% believe they are job-ready.

As a result, companies are investing in skill-based assessments, live interviews, and portfolio reviews to better gauge authenticity. They are also revaluating how they engage talent.

Transparency, mentorship, and pre-boarding strategies are gaining popularity. Some employers now maintain consistent communication between offer and start date, invite hires into internal Slack channels early, or assign onboarding buddies to build accountability. The shift isn’t just tactical.

“Unless a dramatic shift – perhaps through AI-driven workplace evolution – reshapes the professional landscape, both sides will need to adapt,” said Yakov Filippenko, CEO of Intch.

Companies must humanise the recruitment experience, while younger workers need to balance empowerment with responsibility.

Fast facts: Career catfishing at a glance

• 34% of Gen Z workers admit to accepting a job offer and not showing up on day one
• 53% of Gen Z prefer remote work, even at the cost of pay or promotion
• Only 12% of executives think today’s entry-level hires are job-ready
• Job applications increased by 64% in 2024, while job postings declined
• 71% of Gen Z are frustrated by lack of feedback during hiring
• 50% of Gen Z say they have been ghosted by employers

What employers can do to reduce career catfishing

Streamline hiring. Cut down on unnecessary assessments and clearly communicate timelines.

Improve communication. Personalise messages, maintain contact post-offer, and allow open dialogue.

Showcase culture. Offer behind-the-scenes looks, team intros, and value-aligned messaging.

Use skills-based tools. Prioritise live tasks and verified assessments over inflated résumés.

Pre-board early. Create touchpoints before day one to reduce drop-off and build relationships.

“If you’re tempted to ghost,” said Hong Kong-based career coach Gina Lai, “withdraw professionally. A simple email [to say], ‘I’ve decided to pursue another opportunity – thank you for your time,’ preserves relationships.”

Lai said: “Career catfishing won’t stop until both sides change. Candidates must act professionally – even when employers don’t.”

However, companies must also “cut the bureaucracy and treat applicants like humans, not disposable resumes”.