Introduction
There's a reason that job descriptions are so long. They're designed to give you a complete picture of the position, including what the job entails and how it will change over time. Unfortunately, many people don't read them or pay attention to all of their details. This is especially true for people who have been recruited by an outside recruiter or headhunting firm rather than directly by the company itself; recruiters tend not to have access to every aspect of a hiring process as they do in-house searches.
If you're at the interview stage, trust your instincts.
You can trust your instincts.
If you're interviewing for a position, it's important to listen to your inner voice. Listen to your gut feeling about the job and whether or not it feels right for you. Listen to what your heart tells you. If something doesn't feel quite right, or if there are red flags (such as over-the-top flattery in an otherwise professional setting), take note of them and do some research before signing on the dotted line.
Ask to see a full job description.
You could ask to see a full job description. This is the document that outlines what each role entails, both in terms of responsibilities and opportunities for professional development. This can help you get a clearer picture of whether or not the role is actually what you were expecting it to be.
You should also ask about what tasks are not included in your day-to-day work. If the company doesn't want to use certain tools or software because they're too expensive, this would be useful information to have upfront rather than after accepting the job and finding out later on when it's too late for either party involved.
Ask interviewers to be honest about their experiences.
Before you accept a job, it's important to ask interviewers about their experiences with the company. How long have they been there? Do they like it? What do they think of the manager? Have there been opportunities for advancement in the past year or two? If so, how were they structured and how did they turn out (especially if you're interviewing during "the season of change" when companies tend to hire new people more often)?
You also want to get an idea of what kind of work environment this particular job offers. Is this a cubicle farm with thousands of employees pushing buttons all day, or will your role largely be one on one interaction with clients or fellow employees? This isn't just about comfort—it's also about whether or not the company values innovation and entrepreneurship or if it's purely driven by bureaucracy and hierarchy.
Ask to speak with a direct report.
Ask to speak with a direct report.
Ask your boss how she or he thinks your job is going. If you've been struggling for a while, it may be worth asking for feedback from some of the people who report directly to you, since they'll likely have a more objective view of what's happening in the trenches (and let's face it: sometimes the higher-ups can get lost in their own heads). You could also reach out directly to them yourself—or even ask for their advice on how best to handle things moving forward.
Evaluate whether this job still aligns with where you want/need to go professionally.
If your manager has been overpromising and underdelivering, it might be time to reevaluate whether this position still works for you personally or whether there are other opportunities that would better align with your goals and interests going forward (elevator pitch!).
Don't be afraid to ask questions.
I know what you're thinking: don't ask questions that make it look like you don't know what you're doing. But here's the thing: if you're not asking questions, then what are you doing?
Mentally, I run through a list of questions when I'm stuck on something or confused about something. A lot of times these are things I already know the answer to, but sometimes they aren't, and those are exactly the kinds of questions that can prevent miscommunication from happening later on down the line.
For example: let's say your manager asks you to do something that seems weird or wrong—it might be worth asking why! That question may seem stupid or even pointless at first glance because it would seem obvious if someone were just explaining everything in detail (which is why managers usually won't), but this kind of questioning will save everyone time down the road by preventing misunderstandings from happening by accident later on in terms of how things should be done.
Evaluate what's missing.
In order to accurately evaluate your position, it's important that you understand what the job was actually supposed to entail. Ask for a full job description and then make sure your responsibilities match up with it. If they don't match up, ask why they changed and what's been added or removed from the original plan. You should also ask for a list of deliverables—the tasks or projects that you're expected to complete before moving on to other assignments in the future.
You should also ask for a list of goals: What does success look like? How will we know if we've achieved our goal? These questions help illuminate any disconnect between expectations and reality.
Make sure that you explain your questions carefully and accurately so your interviewer knows exactly what you are referring to.
When you are asking questions during a job interview, there is nothing worse than not being clear about what you are asking. It can leave the interviewer feeling confused and perhaps even annoyed.
Your questions should be specific and accurate so that the person who is interviewing you knows exactly what you are referring to. Asking for specific examples of situations that you are curious about is much more useful than asking your interviewer how they work with their team or if they feel like their job challenges them enough.
You also want to be sure to ask about the company culture before accepting a role at a new company: How does it operate? Who will I be working with? What kind of manager do I get? What kind of manager style does my boss use? Answering these types of questions will give you an idea whether or not this particular job opportunity is right for your career goals and personal development needs."
If you can't find the answers in an interview, don't expect to find them after you're hired either.
Ask for a job description. If you don't get the answers you need from an interview, don't expect to find them after you're hired either.
Ask for the company's mission statement. Don't be surprised if it doesn't match up with what you've heard from other sources.
Ask for a list of their clients. This will help you determine if there are any ethical questions that need answering—it also gives you insight into how valued different types of customers are within the organization (and whether or not they're likely to survive).
Ask for a list of their competitors. There's no point in joining an organization whose business model is unsustainable or unethical; they'll just end up costing everyone involved in them money and goodwill over time, not making any profit at all on either front since they're spending more than they take in while keeping themselves afloat using cash reserves built up over years when things were better than they currently are now...
Conclusion
The truth is, it’s possible that you were sold a job that was oversold. But the more important question to ask yourself is: What are you going to do about it? If it is time to leave.. LEAVE. There are so many opportunities out there right now. And the important thing to remember is the right position IS OUT THERE. Now it is time to take this guidance, apply it, and find it.