NewDelhi, August 30, 2025 - Picture this: a recruiter extends a job offer, HR sets up onboarding, and the company is ready to welcome its newest hire. But instead of walking into the office on day one, the candidate vanishes — no calls, no emails, no explanation. This growing workplace trend has a name: career catfishing.
At its core, career catfishing is job-market ghosting. Candidates attend interviews, accept offers, and then disappear before their start date. Once rare, it’s now becoming a serious recruitment headache. Surveys suggest it’s most common among Gen Z, and while it may look immature, the trend reveals bigger cracks in the hiring system.

A Two-Way Street of Ghosting

For decades, candidates have complained about being ghosted by employers — applications sent into a void, interviews followed by silence, and promises left unfulfilled. In that light, career catfishing feels like a form of payback. But research suggests it’s not just revenge.
According to the CVGenius Future of Work Survey (2025), 34% of Gen Z admitted to accepting job offers and then backing out without notice. Reasons vary: some get better offers elsewhere, others feel the role no longer aligns with expectations, and many cite slow or unclear hiring processes as a dealbreaker.

Why Gen Z Leads the Trend

Gen Z workers are setting new terms for employment. Unlike earlier generations, they prioritize speed, transparency, and flexibility over loyalty or tenure. If hiring drags on, communication is vague, or compensation details are hidden, many won’t hesitate to walk away — even after signing.
Cultural shifts play a role too. Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey found 46% of Gen Z value work-life balance above pay, and LinkedIn’s 2024 Global Talent Trends report highlighted that this generation changes jobs faster than any other, often within two years. In an era of remote and freelance work, Gen Z simply doesn’t feel tethered to one employer.

The Cost for Employers

For companies, career catfishing stings. Each vanished hire means wasted recruiter hours, disrupted onboarding schedules, and project delays. Smaller firms can be hit hardest, with even a single no-show derailing operations.
The reputational cost is also significant. Platforms like Glassdoor show that candidates often share poor experiences, damaging employer brands and making future hires harder to secure.

What Employers Can Do

Stopping career catfishing isn’t about punishment but about restoring trust. Research points to a clear playbook:
Speed up hiring cycles: Shorter interview loops and quick offers reduce drop-offs.
Communicate clearly: Even fast rejections are better than silence.
Be transparent: Pay, flexibility, and expectations should be upfront.
Track candidate experience: Regular feedback can flag issues before they grow.

More Than Just a Trend

Career catfishing might appear unprofessional, but it signals deeper workplace changes. The power balance has shifted, and loyalty now flows differently. Gen Z isn’t afraid to walk away if employers don’t deliver on clarity, respect, and flexibility.

In short, career catfishing is less a generational flaw and more a symptom of outdated hiring practices. Employers who adapt will face fewer disappearing acts and those who don’t may keep waiting for employees who never show.