Well then, it probably is!

Today’s post is kind of piggy-backing on my last one about being stuck in a rut. I’ve had several clients (three just this morning) say they recently found another job; however it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. I’ve heard all kinds of things from politics on the job (this was from a school principal) to the actual role being nothing like the job description entailed, nor what was discussed during the interview. The good thing is these particular clients know their worth and once they found out the real deal they got out… fast! Or, at least they’re working on it.

Here are a few scenarios I’ve noticed through the years, and some ways you can avoid the potential nightmare of accepting the wrong job.

1. Small startup company needs an IT Manager, Executive Administrative Assistant, or any other position that requires just one person in charge. The job description seems like any other one you would see for a large Fortune 500 company, but with a little more pay. Maybe a lot more pay and benefits. The interview goes well and you accept. One month into the job and you realize why you’re being paid more. It’s because you’re doing about 50 times more work than you would for a large company. In fact, you’re actually not being paid enough! Jobs that would normally be split into different roles are all in one for YOU. Not only that, but this small company is trying to cut expenses in other areas such as building maintenance, so although your role might be in information security, the HVAC system went out once, you fixed it so now that’s a new addition to your responsibilities.
2. Large law firm (or enter other large company) seems desperate to fill a vacant role. The firm seems very prestigious and again they’re offering what seems to you to be a lot of money. You don’t have their “preferred” amount of experience, but enough they say, so this seems like a great opportunity. The recruiter who interviewed you discussed everything except the fact that they haven’t been able to keep anyone in the role for more than two months. Also, five people have left the firm in a year.
3. A company (large or small) promises you big things that speak directly to your short and long-term goals such as: your own territory (for sales), great commission incentives (due to low salary), opportunity for management within a year, partnership, huge stock options or anything else that would normally take some time to work up to, additional training or going back to school. But… because you’re just the person they’ve been looking for they’re going to hand all of this to you on a silver platter tomorrow! You get into the job and a week later the company name changes. Instead of doing whatever you were mainly hired to do, you’re helping with an office migration. You find out the company has filed for bankruptcy or being acquired by another company.

How do you avoid these things? ASK QUESTIONS!

Small startups and even small companies that have been in business for years have a history for hiring a Jack or Jill-of-all trades and working that person like they’re in a sweatshop. Make sure you’re asking pertinent questions during the interview regarding your exact role.

Today, many large companies are doing the same thing. Many will work you to death in a contractor role with no intention of ever hiring you permanently. I have a friend who worked for a very well-known Fortune 100 company for nearly five years as a temp. before she was hired and they didn’t even give her a pay increase! If you’re ever in a situation like this, keep looking! Don’t hold your breath on their promises. Okay back to asking questions. You may be wondering, well what kinds of questions.

I remember when my daughter interviewed with several companies after she graduated from college. On one, she asked “What’s the worst part about this position?” In which the interviewer replied “The attorneys!” And this would be her main role. Working with 250 attorneys everyday. In fact, she found out that the interviewer was just recovering from some stress related illnesses. My daughter was interviewing for her position. Needless to say she didn’t take it. Good thing she asked that question!

Here’s one I like to ask for public companies “How’s your stock doing?” And I don’t mean how are the stock options either. I mean is their stock price up or down. This will give you an idea of how the company is doing. You can also ask other questions such as: How long has this position been vacant and why? What’s the overall turnover or employee retention rate here? Are there any other job requirements that weren’t mentioned in the job posting or that I should be aware of? Oh, and here’s one more I just thought of from my own experience. If it’s a creative role such as writing, marketing, PR, graphic design, etc…ask how creative you can be. I had a writer once show awesome samples during his interview. I hired him and somewhere around his second project his work started to look very basic and bland. His reasoning was the company prior to ours did not let him be creative. They just used the same ole manufactured templates. I told him to create away!

Lastly, ask questions not just during the interview, but ask the coworkers or friends, or…friends of friends! Go to Glassdoor (glassdoor.com) where you can find employee reviews on tons of companies. These people tell the truth!

In any case, if a job offer sounds too good to be true do your homework. Don’t let an employer hook line and sink you into something you’ll have a problem swimming your way out of.

As always good luck in your job search!