A growing number of Americans are quietly working two full-time jobs—and they’re using AI to stay one step ahead of burnout, bosses, and deadlines.
A new survey from AIResumeBuilder.com finds that 1 in 20 full-time U.S. employees are now “overemployed”—holding down multiple full-time roles simultaneously. Among them, nearly two-thirds rely on AI tools to manage the load, and in many cases, avoid being caught.
The study, based on responses from 3,283 full-time workers, points to a significant cultural and technological shift in the workforce. And it’s Gen Z leading the charge: nearly 1 in 8 Gen Zers surveyed admitted to working more than one full-time job.
AI: The Unsung (and Unseen) Co-Worker
AI isn’t just a convenience—it’s the co-pilot making this double-life possible. Among overemployed workers using AI, 18% say they couldn’t handle both jobs without it, while 42% say it plays a major role in keeping things afloat.
What exactly are these digital helpers doing? Everything from summarizing meetings and writing emails to automating repetitive tasks, managing calendars, and generating reports. The goal: optimize time, minimize manual work, and reduce the risk of overlapping meetings—or worse, blowing their cover.
This fits into a broader workplace trend: the rise of productivity AI tools such as ChatGPT, Notion AI, and Superhuman, which are being rapidly adopted across white-collar roles. But for overemployed workers, these tools aren’t just productivity boosters—they’re survival gear.
Under 50 Hours, Over Two Jobs
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising insight: most overemployed workers say they’re putting in less than 50 hours a week combined across their roles. How? Automation is doing the heavy lifting. And with remote work as the norm for many white-collar industries, clocking in from multiple virtual offices has never been easier—or more tempting.
Financial pressure is the biggest motivator, with most respondents citing the need for additional income or debt repayment. Others are driven by less tangible factors: fear of layoffs, AI replacing their jobs, boredom, or the desire to gain new skills and experiences.
Ethical Gray Zone—or Just the New Hustle?
Overemployment isn’t new, but AI is supercharging its scale and stealth. While younger workers see it as a savvy way to hedge against an unstable job market, older generations tend to view it as a breach of professional ethics—or simply unmanageable.
“Younger workers are more likely to see overemployment as an opportunity,” says Rachel Serwetz, a career advisor at AIResumeBuilder.com. “Gen Z’s fluency with AI gives them an edge in managing these dual roles effectively.”
Still, the practice walks a fine line between resourcefulness and risk. Most employment contracts prohibit working for competitors or taking on full-time work elsewhere without disclosure. If employers start catching wind of employees using company time (and tools) to double-dip, there could be legal and reputational fallout.
Join thousands of HR leaders who rely on HRTechEdge for the latest in workforce technology, AI-driven HR solutions, and strategic insights.
