In a recent survey of more than 1,000 U.S. employees, 18% of workers say their current job has changed significantly or is completely different from what they were hired to do. Workers also say that lack of clarity extends to day-to-day expectations and conversations around career growth.
That’s according to the new Hiring Bait-and-Switch Report, commissioned by ResumeBuilder.com, an easy-to-use online resume builder.
Key Findings
- The bait-and-switch: 18% of workers say their job has changed significantly or is completely different from what they were hired for.
- Unclear expectations: 20% report that their daily role expectations are often unclear or completely unpredictable.
- Ghosted on growth: Nearly three-quarters of workers (74%) say conversations are inconsistent, delayed, or addressed only after an issue arises; just 26% say they happen proactively.
- A lack of appreciation: 30% of workers feel undervalued or completely overlooked based on their workplace contributions.
Hiring Bait-and-Switch
For some workers, a new job brings the unwelcome surprise that the role they accepted does not align with their day-to-day work. When asked how closely their current roles reflect what they were promised when they were hired:
- 18% say their current role has changed significantly or is completely different.
- 56% say their role mostly or somewhat matches, with a few changes over time.
- 26% say their current role completely matches and is exactly what they expected.
Hired Into a Moving Target
This disconnect extends beyond the job description, with employees navigating unclear or shifting expectations.
- 20% say role expectations are often unclear or completely unpredictable.
- 37% say expectations are mostly clear, with occasional ambiguity.
- 43% say expectations are very clear and well-defined.
Ghosted on Growth: The Promotion Evasion
Workers are also encountering uncertainty around career progression. When asked how often these conversations are delayed or avoided:
- 24% say career conversations are frequently delayed or avoided entirely.
- 25% say delays are rare and generally addressed.
- 25% say these conversations are sometimes inconsistent.
- 26% say these conversations happen proactively.
Ultimately, this combination of shifting daily expectations and stalled career momentum is taking a severe toll on morale, with 30% of workers reporting they feel undervalued or not valued at all based on their workplace contributions.
“When someone accepts a new job, they are making a major decision that impacts their career trajectory and a significant amount of their time,” said Stacie Haller, Chief Career Advisor for ResumeBuilder.com. “A major disconnect between the job description and the actual job can leave workers feeling misled and discouraged about their career path. Recognizing that disconnect early can help workers seek clarity about whether the role can be brought back in line with what was promised or begin making informed decisions about what comes next.”
For detailed insights on the Hiring Bait-and-Switch Report, access the full study at https://www.resumebuilder.com/hiring-bait-and-switch/
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Tags: Hiring, job description, job duties, jobs, Payroll, resume, resumebuilder, Staffing, workers
