I’ve been approached by many colleagues, friends and family over the years with the same dilemma. Occasionally you will find what you “signed up for” and what is delivered are sometimes not the same…whether it’s a store purchase, relationship, or job. Maybe you find yourself a few days or a few weeks into a new job, feeling disillusioned. Do you jump ship? Do you keep quiet and keep looking in this economy? Perhaps you should consider a more direct approach.
1) Were your expectations realistic? Did you do your homework during the interview phase? It is unfortunate that sometimes you will find the role you are working in and the role you interviewed for, aren’t the same position. How can you get a better picture of the position before you start?
- Asking good probing questions about the nature of the position, report to, management style, reason for vacancy, etc. are important and can give you insight into the company, the position, and your manager.
- Ask the hiring manager or report to manager if they would allow you to participate in a “job shadow” before finally accepting the next position. Often you can get a taste of what the position and company are about…beyond the interview. Typically, you will even have access to potential co-workers to ask them questions.
- If the position is a new position or a re-designed position, be sure to ask if they would anticipate any changes to the position or task within the first year.
2) So, you did your homework and the job is still NOTHING what you thought it would be. Have you considered professionally meeting with your manager over the differences in what you believed the job to be versus what it has turned out to be?
- Often you will find an open and professional conversation can lead to understanding and sometimes change.
- On the other hand, some people and environments are less flexible and not ready for your candor. Be prepared that you may be asked to leave if you cannot or are unwilling to complete the job at hand.
- Look forward…is there remedial training or tasks you must complete for your on-boarding to better understand the role, department or company? Sometimes our first few weeks on the job look NOTHING like the next months and years.
3) So, you’ve done your homework. You’ve been candid and approached your manager with your concerns. You’ve been patient and put your full effort into the on-boarding and training process and you are still stuck in a position that resembles nothing close to the one you accepted. Either “grin and bear it” professionally, or resign professionally. It is a small-world and you would be surprised who can make or break future hiring or promotion decisions for you in the future. Calling off on unexcused absences after just starting a position, only make you look unprofessional. Use this experience to build your skills, grow your ability to work with diverse situations and people, and learn what you could have done/asked differently.
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