When Bad Jobs Happen to Good People

Have you ever taken a job and gotten excited and anticipated that it was good career move and it ended up being a bust?! Have you accepted the position in good faith hopeful for a brighter future but the company/position was not at all what you expected? Well, you are not alone.
             
I got a call this week from a dear friend. I could hear the desperation in his voice. He's in a messy situation. Last year, after being unemployed since 2009, he accepted an Engineering position.


He was thrilled that he finally landed a job in his field. He had a healthy comp plan and he was even able to negotiate a relocation package! The company (a well-known International name) was building a new facility in the US and hired thousands of professionals.

As it turns out, most of the original hires were no longer there. For a number of reasons they had all moved on. I see this scenario all too often and it burdens me when bad jobs happen to good people. So I decided to write on this subject because people need to know "how to solve" or at least minimize this situation.
             
My expert advice as a veteran recruiter and HR Manager is this-- know what you are getting into before you take the position. I know you are thinking, "Well duh that's easier said then done! Well, it really is. Here's my suggestion-- ask the RIGHT questions during the interview AND trust your gut instinct. 95 percent of the time, you know beforehand what to expect. The position, department or company may change some but for the most part you knew something didn't add up initially and you ignore the warning signs.
             
People take the wrong job everyday for different reasons and then are surprised when it doesn't work out. It's like going into a marriage unsure and then being surprised when you end up in divorce court. Are you really shocked? No, you gave it your best effort but it was destined to fail from the beginning. So why does this happen? Many times, job seekers accepted positions out of desperation.

Maybe you've been without a job for months even years and this is the first one that comes along. Maybe it's the pay, more money. Maybe it's location, you can't relocate and this one is in your area. There's a plethora of reasons for jobs not being what you thought. It's not that the position turned bad, it's that it was bad from the beginning you just didn't know it!
             
So by asking the right questions during the interview process you CAN figure out if the job is BAD. Then you can decide if you still want it and are up for the challenge. The point is to not be surprised. You have a 50-50 chance of it working, but at least you knew from the beginning what to expect so you won't be shocked if it doesn't.
             

I always tell my candidates to ask the good, the bad and the ugly! You need to know everything about the position, the department, and the company before accepting the position. Ask for full disclosure, if the interviewer paints you a rosy picture... BEWARE! If it's too good to be true it probably is.

Here are some questions and tips that will help uncover the REAL inside deal:

- Why is this position open? Is it due to someone leaving or being terminated? Why?

- What is the expectation for this position? (If you know you can't meet those expectations or they seem unrealistic, there's your sign!)

- What is the turnover rate is in the department or division? If there have been more than 4 people in that position in the last 2 years--RED FLAG-- something is definitely wrong!

- When will I get an evaluation? How is that measured?

- Evaluate the duties of the position. If it seems like two or three jobs rolled into one, then you're being set up to fail. Realistically, no one can manage all 3 roles and do it successfully unless you have super natural powers like Superman and in that case you should be busy saving the world!

- What are the expectations for a new person in the first 90 days?

- What training is available? When you hear OJT (on the job training,) beware! That means that there isn't any, they expect you to jump right in to sink or swim! Also, when you hear them say, "We need you to hit the ground running'" that's bad news--run!

- What is a normal work week? When they say, "We are all team players and do whatever is necessary even if it means working weekends and late nights," that usually means they EXPECT you to work 50 plus hours a week, usually for the same pay.

- How do you know if your boss will be a jerk, a micro-manager, or a control freak? Usually you know because he will be the one interviewing you and if you don't genuinely like him then you won't like him once you are hired because he is not going to change.

- If you are interviewing with HR, ask to meet the person you will be reporting to.

- Is this a start-up? What is the expected ramp-up time? (FYI, if the company is a start-up, you are in for crazy long hours, massive chaos, ever-changing processes, constant turnover, no training, extreme demands and high expectations.) So, unless you are just a thrill seeker and can't get enough work hours and face time with your co-workers, I recommend treading lightly when it comes to start-ups. NO MATTER what THEY tell you, it will always be 10 times harder than you ever imagined. Ask me how I know.

- If you are working a contract position, ask for a timeframe in writing. Many times, people move for a contract position and then the contract gets cut short--bad move!

- Use the Internet, research and read the comments from current or past employees. Also, talk with people you know that deal with that company either as a client, supplier or a competitor. Go ahead, ask the TOUGH questions--get the REAL dirt on the position before you accept it. That way you will not be disappointed.
             
Not all positions and companies are bad--in fact most are fine. But if you do come across a bad one, you'll know how to assess it! There are so many amazing companies out there. Find one that is right for you long-term.