Inspired by the most famous ogre in cinema, the term “shrekking” went viral among Generation Z to describe a new “love strategy”: dating someone considered “below one’s standards” in the hope of having a more stable or at least emotionally secure relationship.
The trend gained traction on social media, with celebrities like Selena Gomez, Beyoncé, Lana Del Rey, and their respective partners cited as examples showing that, to reach “happily ever after,” it may be necessary to look beyond the prince charming.
The concept has extended beyond romantic relationships into the corporate world. In the workplace, “career shrekking” happens when a professional accepts a role, project, or company below their potential — not due to lack of ambition, but as a form of self-protection. It is a way to avoid risks: fear of rejection, instability, or failure. “In times of uncertainty, professionals end up accepting opportunities below their skills and qualifications in exchange for job security,” says Müller Gomes, recruitment specialist at consulting firm Robert Half. “People are thinking twice before making career moves and are evaluating the emotional and personal impact of every decision,” adds Marina Ferreira, partner at consultancy Korn Ferry.
What’s behind “career shrekking”
There are several reasons why people adopt this trend. Shrekking allows professionals to feel more secure in their career path without facing the vulnerability that comes with more challenging or ambitious roles. In many cases, it creates the illusion of control and the belief that risks, such as being fired, exposed, or failing publicly, can be avoided.
According to Gomes, career shrekking is more common when professionals are unemployed. “Professionals out of work often experience insecurity and even doubt their own abilities,” he says. “They want to re-enter the market as quickly as possible and therefore accept any job, regardless of its level.”
In the workplace, the so-called “career shrekking” occurs when a professional accepts a role, project, or company below their potential — not due to a lack of ambition, but as a form of self-protection. It is a way to avoid risks: fear of rejection, instability, or failure
A study published in the academic journal Journal of Personality and Social Psychology examined how self-esteem influences risk-taking behavior. Researchers found that more independent individuals with higher self-esteem are more likely to take risks — at work, this means seeking promotions, proposing ideas, and even changing career paths.
Meanwhile, people who prefer to avoid risks stay in their comfort zones. While this may seem rational, in practice, it can sabotage growth and erode self-confidence. “Stability is important, but if it comes without learning or recognition, the result is usually the opposite of what is desired: demotivation and stagnation,” says Ferreira.
The problem with staying in the comfort zone
One consequence of career shrekking is what specialists call “rust-out” — the opposite of burnout. Instead of being overwhelmed, the professional feels like they are rusting, wasting their potential on work that doesn’t challenge them. “Within three or four months, the person will feel demotivated due to being underutilized,” explains Gomes.
Rust-out can create problems for both the professional and the company. “The company loses what it invested in training, and the professional, in turn, won’t stay long in the role, resulting in short-term positions on their résumé, which can be damaging in the job market.”
