(Thanks to my partners at FlexJobs.com for this report.)

One-third (33%) of workers said they have lied on a resume or cover letter, according to FlexJobs’Job Search Trends Report. Released July 16, the report surveyed over 2,200 U.S. respondents on their job search experiences to better understand the pressures and priorities of today’s workforce.

The workers shared what the job search looks like for them right now. The findings paint a clear picture: daily scrolling through listings, lengthy application processes, growing doubts about career prospects, continued demand for remote jobs, and, for some, stretching the truth to stay competitive.

In a competitive job market, some professionals are bending the truth to land interviews, as told by these lying-on-resumes statistics. Applicants feel compelled to enhance their experience or skill set in order to get past the bots (Applicant Tracking Systems) that are screening them.

The survey found that 1 in 3 respondents (33%) have admitted to lying on a resume or cover letter. They reported thinking that it was worth the risk, but it almost never is. In many companies, you can be fired for falsifying your application or lying about credentials, no matter how good your performance has been. Falsifying official documents, credentials, or background information can lead to legal action or even criminal charges (especially for roles in government or healthcare).

Here are some of the other common lies job seekers tell:

• About 1 in 5 (19%) job seekers said they’ve faked enthusiasm or pretended to be passionate about a company’s mission. (Spoiler alert for recruiters: they need a paycheck more than a chance to change the world.)
• Another 11% said they’ve claimed to “love a fast-paced environment” or falsely claimed to be a team player when they prefer working solo.
• And 10% reported exaggerating job responsibilities or extending job dates to cover up unemployment gaps.

The report also found that more than half of workers are swiping left on the jobs they already have. 58% of those surveyed reported looking for new job openings at least once a day. Of this group, 39% said they do it multiple times daily. Another third (33%) said they search weekly, while just 9% look monthly. (Just.)

The report also reveals a noticeable dip in job market optimism. Nearly half (46%) of workers said they feel more pessimistic about their career prospects than they did this time last year. Just 29% said they feel more optimistic.

Finally, the majority of respondents want either fully remote (57%) or hybrid (40%) roles going forward. Only 3% said they’re looking for a full-time, in-person job. That makes sense, given the other report findings. It’s much harder to look for your next career move with your boss looking over your shoulder.

Toni Franna, a career expert at FlexJobs, says “The longer a job search takes, the more a job seeker may feel frustrated and defeated. As a job search lingers, people may feel compelled to stretch the truth on their resumes. Doing so, however, can have negative consequences, as employers will eventually figure out that you were not completely honest in how you represented yourself. Your best course of action is to represent yourself honestly and position your results, accomplishments, and impacts as strong bullets on your resume.” Almost every career coach agrees that getting a job is not the end goal; it’s getting a job where you can thrive and be successful. It doesn’t make sense to stretch the truth on your application; waiting for the right opportunity is the smart strategy. Landing a job that isn’t a good fit, no matter how lucrative it may be, will have you back in the market starting the whole process over again even sooner.