More Than 1 in 3 Americans Have "Faked It" to Stay Competitive at Work, New Addison Group Research Finds

• Addison Group's inaugural Skill Security Report reveals 93% of working and job-seeking Americans say building a career has gotten harder in the past five years, as AI and shifting employer expectations redefine the skills needed to succeed at work
• 83% have taken at least one step in the past year to remain competitive, including 43% who taught themselves how to use an AI tool
• 36% have exaggerated their knowledge, skills, or experience because they felt pressure to stay competitive or appear capable

CHICAGO, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to new research from Addison Group, an international business services and human capital technology company, nearly every working and job-seeking American says building a career in today's job market has become more difficult. The survey, conducted by Wired Research, shows that the pressure to adapt to AI and evolving employer expectations is giving rise to a new form of job security: "skill security," or the ability to continuously build the skills needed to stay competitive.

The 2026 Skill Security Report from Addison Group reveals that 93% of the U.S. workforce says at least one aspect of creating a successful career has become harder over the past five years, with 68% citing technology-driven obsolescence as a top challenge. The quickly evolving landscape is prompting workers to reassess their skills and career paths, with 72% expressing some form of career anxiety or vulnerability, while 58% are not confident in their ability to adapt as the skills their careers demand continue to change.

That pressure is leading some to take a "fake it until you make it" approach. In fact, 36% of the U.S. labor force, or approximately 64 million people, have exaggerated their knowledge, skills, or experience because they felt pressure to stay competitive or appear capable.

At the same time, 83% have taken at least one step in the past year to remain competitive. Among them, 43% have taught themselves how to use an AI tool, making it the most common individual skill-development action measured in the study. Even so, 63% say they've taken on a professional challenge without feeling fully prepared, underscoring broader workforce uncertainty about the future.

"This concept of 'skill security' is about giving people the skills and confidence to grow alongside the technologies reshaping the workplace," said Thomas Moran, CEO of Addison Group. "Technical fluency will be increasingly important, but human skills like critical thinking, communication, creativity, and judgment will remain essential. The key for employers is to help people develop both, creating pathways for their employees to take on new challenges, grow in their careers, and contribute in ways they haven't before."

Together, the findings point to a shift in how Americans think about career security: staying secure increasingly means staying adaptable. Workers are already responding by pushing themselves beyond their current capabilities, learning new skills, and teaching themselves emerging technologies.

These findings build on themes explored in Addison Group's 2027 Workforce Planning & Salary Guide, which examines how AI is reshaping work, the growing role of skills-first hiring, and how organizations are adapting to an evolving labor market. The Guide offers employers additional insights into the hiring trends, workforce needs, and skills shaping the year ahead.

The 2026 Skill Security Report examines how Americans are navigating this shift, including the drivers of career anxiety, the actions workers are taking to stay competitive, and how these behaviors differ across generations and demographics. View the complete findings here.

About the Data

The 2026 Skill Security Report is based on an online survey conducted by Wired Research between August 28 and September 2, 2026. The survey was fielded via email invitation among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18 and older, of whom 656 were employed or unemployed and looking for work. Population estimates apply the survey finding that 66% of U.S. adults are employed or unemployed and looking for work to the 2025 U.S. Census adult population of 269,763,509, or approximately 178 million people.

About Addison Group

Addison Group is a renowned leader in talent solutions and consulting services, delivering top-tier talent and consulting expertise across the United States. Praised for its People-First approach, Addison Group has been recognized among the fastest-growing private companies in the country by Forbes, Staffing Industry Analysts, and others. Dedicated to innovating and evolving to meet business needs, Addison Group's comprehensive service offerings are supported by its portfolio of specialized brands: Addison Group Talent Solutions (AGTS), AIM Consulting, ArcLight Consulting, Bridgepoint Consulting, DLC, Harmony Healthcare, Kranz Consulting, and Mondo. 

Media Contact:

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SOURCE Addison Group