Resume fraud and counterproductive behavior: The impact of narcissism in the labor market

Research across various disciplines has addressed personality traits that can account for dishonest behavior. This study examines the role of narcissism, a multifaceted personality construct typified by an inflated self-view, in the labor market as an influence on resume deception and counterproductive work behavior. Our findings confirmed the hypotheses and showed that job applicants with higher narcissism scores reported greater fabrication, embellishment, and omission of relevant information on their resumes. We also found that only the maladaptive aspects of narcissism were correlated with counterproductive work behavior. This finding show that narcissists may also offer positive value to organizations, related to their natural inclination toward leadership and positions of power. Knowing which personality traits are linked with dishonesty in the labor market allows for more effective applicant screening and informed decision making in the selection process.