The rise of misleading ‘bait-and-switch’ jobs—and how to avoid them

Jobs are always evolving, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence. But if the work you’re doing bears little resemblance to the role you were promised, and especially if no one has explained or discussed the change with you, you might be experiencing a career “bait-and-switch.” When ResumeBuilder surveyed 1,000 U.S. employees, nearly one in five said their role had changed significantly or was completely different from what they were hired to do. Additionally, 30% felt undervalued or overlooked, according to the survey report, and 74% found conversations about career growth inconsistent, delayed, or addressed only after an issue arose. It’s very unlikely someone will be in exactly the same role for their entire career. But what distinguishes normal changes in responsibilities from something more worrisome is clear communication and expectations, says Stacie Haller, ResumeBuilder’s chief career advisor. “Normal changes build on the skills you were hired for, come with a conversation, and move you forward,” she says. “It’s cause for concern when the job you’re doing barely resembles the one you interviewed for, when you’ve quietly absorbed the work of two people without a…