B2 – Upper Intermediate
In today’s fast-paced professional world, breadcrumbing isn’t just a strategy—it’s often used as a way to cope or stay afloat. Whether we mean to or not, most of us have played a part in breadcrumbing—whether as a boss, a colleague, or a job candidate. It’s become a common part of workplace behavior, often without us even noticing.
So what is breadcrumbing, really—and is it possible you’re engaging in it without knowing?
Read the article about breadcrumbing at work.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to follow through on one’s own words” mean? “The same applies to breadcrumbing at work, where a company, employee, or job seeker will give just enough time, attention, or talk to suggest they are totally interested and committed but they never actually follow through on their words.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “buzzword” mean? “So, is breadcrumbing even a thing or just a buzzword doing the rounds?” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “to keep someone/something warm” mean? “For example, as a recruiter there are many occasions where clients ask me to ‘keep a candidate warm’ after an interview because they cannot make an immediate decision.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- How is breadcrumbing different from normal delays or bureaucracy at work?
- Do you think breadcrumbing is more common in certain industries or roles?
- Have you ever experienced breadcrumbing at work or during a job search?
- Do you think breadcrumbing is a form of workplace manipulation? Why or why not?