Survey Reveals 5 in 10 US workers Lost Out On a Job Opportunity to a “Nepo Baby” Colleague

A new survey by career experts at resume.io shows that “nepo babies” aren't exclusive to Hollywood... in fact, there's a 4 in 10 chance you're sitting next to one at work.

Resume.io’s latest research investigated how family connections shape careers and how common workplace nepotism really is in the U.S. today. In fact, 50% of surveyed workers admit losing a role to someone hired through nepotism.

40% of U.S. workers got their job at the same workplace as their closest family member

According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, job cuts were widespread in 2025, reaching their peak in November -  the highest rate since 2022 and the Covid-19 pandemic. Because of this, concerns about workplace fairness are getting more serious in 2026 as well. Those who are fighting unemployment alone wonder if the playing field is even or not. 

Just as curious as them, resume.io experts questioned 1,000 employees to determine the prevalence of workplace nepotism in the United States today, including where it occurs most frequently, who benefits, and how employees feel about it.

Key findings show:

1. Nearly 70% believe nepotism is widespread in the U.S. workforce

2. 4 in 10 have been hired at the same company as a relative

3. 5 in 10 say they’ve lost out on a job opportunity to a “nepo baby” colleague

4. 72% believe that “it’s who you know” is a key hiring influence

5. 52% employees said family hiring in significantly harms team morale, retention, and reputation

6. In their current workplace, 54.1% of employees know of colleagues hired through family ties, while a 24.7% of them suspect it happens quietly

7. 30% of workers see nepotism as the biggest unfair factor in job security

Almost 90% feel promotion choices are shaped by nepotism

We asked employees how they perceive nepotism in 2025, from detecting it in the workplace to its impact on fairness, opportunities, and company culture. While responses varied in degree, almost everyone agreed that it provides an advantage.

According to our survey, employees agreed (to some extent) that nepotism provides advantages in the following areas:

1. 91.2% say family connections determine who gets hired.

2. 88.2% think promotion and career advancement choices are shaped by nepotism.

3. 88.2% of respondents think networking and "who you know" play a role in hiring decisions.

4. 87.2% say family ties ensure long-term job stability. 

5. 86.6% believe nepotism affects who receives the best project opportunities.

6. 83.5% notice that family hires face less supervision and accountability.

7. 82.7% of respondents think nepotism affects pay increases and salaries.

Nearly 50% of workers miss role advancements due to nepotistic hires

Survey shows that 4 out of 10 people have landed a job where a relative already works, demonstrating that family ties continue to play an important role in how people are hired. Mothers (11.3%), fathers (8.1%), and siblings (15.2%) are the most common sources of connection. 

45% said they lost out on a job or promotion because it went to someone with family connections (both current and previous jobs).

How to handle the injustice of losing a job opportunity due nepotism 

Amanda Augustine, career expert at resume.io, said, “It may be easier said than done, but try not to immediately jump to conclusions. Sometimes what looks like nepotism may really be about timing or fit. If you feel like you’ve been sidelined, ask for clear, specific feedback on what skills or experiences you need to develop or what you need to accomplish in order to move up. 

However, if your manager is unable or unwilling to provide such feedback and opportunities consistently remain blocked with no path forward, then it may be a sign to explore opportunities elsewhere.”

Full report can be found on their blog page: https://resume.io/blog/nepotism-at-work. 

---

Methodology: Online survey of 1,000 U.S. workers aged 18+, conducted by Pollfish for resume.io in November 2025. Respondents represented diverse demographics across age, gender, location, ethnicity, income, and company size and type. 

Resume.io, a career.io brand, is an AI-powered resume builder designed to help job seekers create professional resumes and cover letters with ease. With over 30 recruiter-approved templates, AI-driven writing suggestions, and hundreds of job-specific examples, it simplifies the job search process. Users can generate cover letters, tailor resumes to match job descriptions, and download their documents in multiple formats, including PDF, Word, and Google Docs. Built for speed and efficiency, resume.io ensures resumes are ATS-friendly and optimized for success. Trusted by millions across 100+ countries, it offers more than just a resume builder–unlocking 18 powerful career tools to help professionals land their next opportunity faster. For more information, visit resume.io or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Amanda Augustine is the resident career expert for career.io’s suite of brands: TopResume, TopCV, resume.io, TopInterview, ZipJob, and Careerminds. As a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), she has spent more than 20 years helping professionals improve their careers and land the right job sooner. Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.