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Conversations about cheating in technical interviews are increasing, of late, particularly given the rise in remote hiring, too. One of the comments that is raised by some in the hiring manager position, in a broader context, pertains to the premise that candidates from certain nationalities cheat more frequently than others. This is especially delicate as it pertains to reputation, biases, and overall fairness when hiring globally. Quite frankly, however, is there legitimate evidence to the contrary, or might this simply be a referral point rooted in perspectives and isolated instances? Keep following us for regular updates on labor rights, workplace equality, and employee wellbeing.
Let’s break it down based on any relevant research, hiring trends and behavioural studies.
1. There is No Reputable Research Supporting that Any Nationality Cheats More
To date, there is no significant research, either by way of academics or global hiring report, where there is evidence to suggest that suggests developers from one nationality cheat more than others.
Most research in psychology and organisational behaviour suggests that it is personality standards, rather than those of a national origin, that determine whether an individual will cheat or fake responses in an interview setting.
The studies published in a journal of psychology all cite that cheating is linked to:
- Personality standards (e.g., Machiavellianism, low conscientiousness)
- High amounts of pressure or fear of failure
- A lack of self-confidence
- Situational utilitarianism, too
There is no established part of any of the above that has been supported by national origin.
2. Evidence We Do Have: Bias in Hiring
While there is weak evidence connecting cheating to nationality, there is strong evidence of bias in hiring.
Studies from institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Wharton report that:
Recruiters often perceive candidates differently because of their name, accent, or background.
- Perceived “fit”, and perceived “trustworthiness”, and “competence” are often created by implicit bias.
- Some managers may form stereotypes based upon a few bad turned in experiences.
In other words, hiring managers may have seen a few incidences of cheating from one region and use their observations, even if subconsciously, to generalise to entire nationalities.
3. Why Hiring Managers Think One Nationality is More Likely to Cheat
Even if there is no scientifically-based evidence, certain patterns might feel real to recruiters, which can occur due to:
a) High Volume of Applications from Certain Countries
For example, India produces a tremendous number of engineers.
Higher volumes equal:
- More candidates who are exceptionally talented
- More candidates twhoare average
- Most importantly, more candidates twhoare dishonest or unqualified
It’s called visibility, there is a reason.
b) Bias from Experience (Confirmation Bias).
In that case, if a manager thinks they have seen a candidate cheating twice, the third (honest) candidate (even if they don’t recognise and remember the bias they placed on the previous two) will still have to prove that they are honest in that moment.
c) Remote Interview Environments
Cheating is easier in all environments due to remote interviewing.
However, if a hiring manager frequently spends their time interviewing the same nationality remotely, they are using their mental sample.
4. Cheating Has More to Do with Opportunity than Location
Behavioural research indicates that people cheat when:
- The possibility of being caught is slim
- The reward is significant
- The environment is stressful
- They believe “everyone does it”
Remote interviews, access to a plethora of online assistance, and AI-based tools provide these conditions.
This is happening worldwide—not confined to one country.
5. Why the Stereotype is Detrimental
However, even if we agree that some cheating is true or even common, the extrapolation of a nationality can create:
- Distrust toward honest candidates
- Unfair scrutiny of top performers
- A tarnished reputation for entire communities
- Hiring preferences/policy filters that are biased
Once a stereotype is established, it is nearly impossible to reverse, impacting the innumerable professionals who have never cheated and never would.
6. What Organizations Should Do Rather Than Generalize
Instead of attributing blame to nationalities, oorganisationsshould be working to address cheating behaviours in the hiring process by:
Having candidates participate in live coding interviews while being monitored on screen.
Asking candidates to explain their solutions
- Utilising human-led behaviour-based interview questions
- Providing strengthened training for interviewers on equitable hiring
- Reviewing cheating detection technology that supports ethical hiring across the globe
These all address the very real and concerning problem of cheating, without taking the firsthand experience and bias we may have had and applying it to entire nationalities.
Conclusion
We have no definitive proof that any nationality cheats in interviews more than another nationality. The conclusions that are made are largely based on:
- Anecdotal evidence from our experiences
- Our bias as interviewers
- A higher volume of applicants from a market in a region
- The loopholes that remote interviewing provides
Cheating does happen, but it happens wherever the interview is taking place. Addressing cheating requires improved systems, not assigning blame to the nationality. Creating fairness, transparency, and skill-based candidates is the only long-term method for hiring normalisation on a global scale.
