Two-thirds of workers say career growth is just an illusion, survey finds

A new survey revealed that many workers believe their career progress is little more than an illusion.

According to the Ghost Growth report from MyPerfectResume®, which polled 1,000 U.S. workers, 65% said they have experienced “superficial growth” in their careers – taking on extra duties without the pay, promotion or real opportunity they expected.

The research highlighted how professional development is often more performative than practical.

Nearly half of respondents (49%) felt they have hit a career plateau disguised as progress.

Two-thirds (66%) think their company engages in “growth theater,” offering surface-level training or symbolic gestures without meaningful outcomes.

More than half (53%) report being promised a raise or promotion that never arrived.

The survey showed the financial impact of this so-called ghost growth is significant.

78% said they have been assigned new responsibilities without a corresponding pay rise or promotion.

Only 15% received a raise in the past year tied to a heavier workload, and over a third said they have never received a raise that reflected a bigger role.

The emotional toll is clear too. Almost one in four workers (23%) said the experience leaves them frustrated, 20% said they feel burned out and 13% reported feeling trapped.

More than two-thirds (68%) have considered quitting because of fake or performative advancement, and 16% have already started job hunting.

When asked what real growth would look like, most workers pointed to tangible rewards: 27% defined growth as higher pay, 18% as better work-life balance and 16% as clear promotion paths or leadership opportunities.

Only 8% equated growth with autonomy alone, underscoring the desire for concrete benefits.

Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume, said: “The illusion of growth is becoming a real problem.

“Employers are assigning more work without reward, checking boxes on development without follow-through, and creating environments where people feel stuck and frustrated. It’s not just demoralising — it’s a retention risk.”