Desperate job seekers are getting creative — and sometimes downright wild — in a tough market: “Some are just lying,” says one career coach.

When Shoshanna Davis asked TikTok users to share the most over-the-top things they’ve done to land a job, the responses did not disappoint.

One person sent a picture of a T-rex trying to make a bed instead of their resume and added a note: “If you like this pic, meet me for a drink to discuss the job.” It worked. Others changed resume fonts to feel more familiar to hiring managers or showed up to ask about openings while speaking through a puppet. One person even won a dance battle to earn a referral.

Some users turned dating apps into career opportunities — adding “open to work” to their Hinge bios, using speed dating to ask about job openings, or pretending to show romantic interest just to get their resume passed along. One person matched on Raya and ended up married — with a managing director job to go with it.

While some of these tactics might raise eyebrows, Davis told Today.com that a few border on deception and are not advisable. “Eventually, you probably will get found out,” she warned.

Still, Davis admits she’s pulled her own tricks, like sneaking into exclusive tech events to gain insights before interviews.

Not everyone is playing games, though. A report from EduBirdie found that 58% of Gen Z workers won’t even apply for a job unless the salary is listed. Forget gimmicks — they want transparency. HR consultant Bryan Driscoll says younger workers have watched older generations get burned by vague promises, and now expect clear numbers up front.

In fact, 71% of Gen Z believe salaries should be openly discussed at work. To them, not listing the pay is a red flag — and often a dealbreaker.

Because if they’re going to hustle or hack their way into a role, they want to know it’s worth it.