4 Useful Things to Do When Job Descriptions Don’t Match Reality

While the job industry nowadays is far more honest and upfront than ever before, it’s understandable that companies want to market themselves in the most positive light possible. Unfortunately, most people are too ashamed to admit that their job isn’t what they wanted, especially during the first months of employment.

If you want to avoid working in a position that is not suited for your skills, it’s better to check out job openings at bigger companies where you can switch from a position to another.  Unfortunately, it’s possible to accept a job with a wonderful description and discover that it’s not what you were expecting.

For instance, according to a survey conducted by Glassdoor via Harris Interactive, 6 in 10 employees consider that their actual job didn’t match up to their expectations. When considering this makes up for 61% of the workforce, the numbers start to look even grimmer.

Take Jane’s example for instance. Jane Dobson was a fresh graduate with a degree in Media and Communication. She found a job description online for a vacant job as a creative writer. Everything looked great until she accepted the job and discovered that the job description did not match reality at all.

While she expected to write a lot of interesting content, she didn’t have time to do so because she had to fill out reports and edit a lot of papers written by someone else. This shows that all of us can be fooled by a job description which looks perfect at first sight. So if you find yourself in Jane’s situation, do this instead:

What to Do

When faced with accepting a job that is nothing as you expected, standing up for your rights as a member of the workforce is key. Finding a way to do this seamlessly might be hard, but it’s not impossible. Here are four useful things that you can do when you find that a certain job description doesn’t match reality.

1. Give it a try

Coming to the realization that you’re in the middle of the circumstances described above is always hard. But it’s essential not to become too disheartened right off the bat. The good news is that everything can be learned in a matter of time. Remain at the job for a period of time and see how well you adjust. After all, everything might seem easier a month or two into the job.

2. Talk to your coworkers

It can be hard to adjust to a new job, especially if you don’t get along with your coworkers. Try to know them better. This can be helpful on the long run. Let’s say, for instance, that you have a task which doesn’t match the job description and you find it hard to complete. When you have a good relationship with your coworkers, they will be happy to share their knowledge with you.

3. Call the Employer Out

Employers are usually less eager to reveal the less exciting aspects of a certain position to potential candidates during an interview and that can mislead future employees.

In addition, most job seekers don’t ask questions in such a way as to pressure disclosure, which is why sometimes they end up left in the dark. If this is your current case, stand up for yourself and let your superior know that you are not satisfied.

4. Know If It’s Time to Walk Away

Don’t force yourself to stay at a certain job. Find a job that matches your skills. This will also increase productivity and your career prospects. And don’t lose your self-esteem because you called it quits. It’s not your fault that the job didn’t meet the description. Learn to handle a loss of confidence and to regain your self-esteem. Remember that the perfect job exists, and it can be just a resume away.

Conclusion

Coming to terms with getting a job that isn’t at all what you imagined it to be can be difficult, but if the situation is rewarding regardless and your employer is willing to help, you will make the best out of it. However, if you feel like walking away would benefit you more, don’t be afraid to say it out loud. At the end of the day, your happiness matters most.

About Alex Moore

 

Alex Moore is the content manager of Jobapplicationcenter and a psychology enthusiast. His favorite subjects feature the intersection between job opportunities and applied psychology.

This entry was posted in Guest Posts, Job Search, Tips for Jobseeker.