Understanding Career Catfishing in Today’s Job Market

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I’m not going to sugarcoat it: something weird is happening in the job market.

Candidates are saying yes to job offers and then disappearing into thin air.

No “thank you for the opportunity.”

No “I’ve changed my mind.”

Just GHOSTED.

And here’s the kicker I find interesting: some of them never planned to show up in the first place.

It has a name now: CAREER CATFISHING.

And while it sounds like a Gen Z prank or something you’d see on TikTok, it’s a very real (and growing) phenomenon in today’s work culture.

So let me unpack what’s really going on here, because this trend says way more about the current state of the workplace than it does about the people doing it.

This isn’t just about disappearing candidates or ghosting.

It’s about a system breaking down.

What Is Career Catfishing?

What is this crazy, new term and what should you know about this? I’ll do my best to explain.

Career catfishing is when someone accepts a job offer with no intention of starting the role. They might be using the offer as leverage, as a placeholder, or just to keep options open. Some even accept multiple offers at once, weighing them until the very last minute. Or not at all.

At first glance, it looks shady. Super unprofessional. Even unethical.

But look a little deeper and you’ll see something else:

A reaction.

A rebellion.

A quiet middle finger to a hiring system that hasn’t exactly been honest or fair for a long time.

When the rules feel rigged, people stop playing fair.

What’s Driving This Behavior?

Let me break this down. A few real reasons why some candidates are catfishing employers:

1. Job Search Fatigue Is Real.

Some people apply to 100+ jobs and hear crickets. Then suddenly, three offers land in their inbox. Emotional whiplash is real and it suddenly spirals for them. They say yes to the first one out of panic or exhaustion. Then regret it. But instead of saying so, they vanish. This isn’t right, but not uncommon either.

2. Candidates Are Tired of Being Ghosted First.

Funnily enough, you know what started all this? Employers ghosting candidates.

For decades, people have poured time into cover letters, interviews, tests…only to hear nothing back. Now that the power balance has shifted a bit, some candidates are playing the same game. It’s not healthy, but it’s definitely familiar.

What goes around comes around. Even in hiring.

3. Offers Are Being Used as Leverage.

“I got an offer” now means “Let’s see if my current employer will finally give me that raise.” Or “Let me see if I can get more from Company B.”

In a world where loyalty hasn’t always paid off, people are using what they’ve got. Even if it means never showing up.

4. Trust in the System Is Eroding.

There’s a growing belief (especially among Gen Z and younger millennials) that companies aren’t loyal. And so, why should candidates be? From surprise layoffs to fake “inclusive cultures” to burnout being branded as ambition, there’s a deeper distrust brewing.

Career catfishing is the symptom, not the disease.

People aren’t flaky. They’re fed up.

Let’s Be Clear Though—This Isn’t the Way

Now here’s the part where we get real: just because the system is flawed doesn’t mean ghosting an employer is a power move. It just adds more noise and mistrust to an already messy hiring landscape.

Ghosting doesn’t make you powerful. It just makes things messier.

Your reputation matters. Especially in industries where word travels fast. Burning bridges today might mean fewer options tomorrow.

And beyond that? It’s just not the kind of energy you want to carry into your next chapter. If you don’t want a role, say it. If you need time to decide, ask for it. Clarity is power. Silence isn’t.

Say it. Don’t disappear.

A Little Script for a Lot More Integrity

Whether you’re a candidate or an employer, we all need to do better. So I’m going to outline a few ways to help make the hiring process more better again:

If you’re a candidate with second thoughts:

“Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name], thank you so much for the opportunity. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to move in a different direction. I appreciate the time and energy you invested in the process. Wishing you and the team continued success.”

If you’re an employer delivering an offer:

“We’re thrilled to offer you this role. We understand that career decisions are big ones, and we want you to feel confident. Let us know if you’d like a few days to weigh your options or if there are any questions we can clarify.”

Notice the difference? One leads with respect. The other assumes humanity.

Hiring is not a transaction.

It’s a relationship.

Start it with care.

What Can Companies Learn From This?

If people are catfishing you, don’t just blame them. Ask yourself this:

• Was the hiring process respectful and timely?

• Did we communicate expectations clearly?

• Are we walking our talk when it comes to culture and flexibility?

• Do candidates feel safe saying “no thanks“?

Because, if not, they’ll avoid the discomfort and disappear instead. It’s not right. But it happens.

People don’t disappear when they feel seen and safe.

This is also where companies can really differentiate themselves. Respectful recruiting isn’t just a feel-good HR goal, it’s a retention strategy, a brand asset, and a signal to top-tier talent that you do things differently.

Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Stop Normalize Ghosting, From Either Side

Career catfishing is messy. But it’s also a mirror.

It reflects the burnout, the distrust, the broken systems, and the desperate need for more honesty in hiring.

It’s not just a trend. It’s a cry for change.

Candidates don’t want to play games.

And neither do employers.

So maybe it’s time we stop trying to win, and start trying to connect. Human to human. Leader to future leader.

It’s time to build careers we don’t need to run from.

And if you’re ready to start speaking up with confidence (not silence), check out my Career Conversations Bootcamp (with actual scripts and mindset strategies), or apply for my 1:1 Mentorship (you can book your Free Career Clarity Call Here).

You don’t need to ghost or game the system. You just need better tools, sharper scripts, and a strategy that works for you.

We can work on that together.