By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
I heard this from a professional I worked with a few months ago. She walked out of her final interview and accepted what she calls her dream opportunity. This dream was quickly shattered. While the specific details aren’t important, her situation raises a general question: What do you do when the results of a job you’ve worked hard to achieve are vastly different than what you expected?
Step 1: Listen to your peers’ perspectives
Before making any decisions, consult with colleagues who have been with the organization longer. Every position will encounter unexpected challenges during the adjustment period. What feels overwhelming in month two may be completely routine by month six. Knowing whether your experience is typical or truly problematic will inform everything that follows. If this is your standard adjustment turmoil, consider committing to getting through it—these times often lead to significant career growth.
Step 2: Talk directly to your manager
Schedule a time to discuss what you are experiencing with your supervisor. Center the conversation around understanding expectations and timelines rather than making complaints. You may find that your current stress is temporary—perhaps related to a product launch, the end of a fiscal year, or a personnel change. Sometimes, you’ll find that these conditions are permanent features of the character. Either way, clarity beats speculation.
If the challenging aspects seem to be lasting characteristics rather than temporary circumstances, resist the urge to quit immediately. This is crucial: your negotiating position, financial stability, and professional options are all stronger when you’re currently employed.
Step Three: Quietly Start Your Search
Update your resume and start exploring other opportunities, but approach the process strategically. Be truthful about your current employment status—trying to hide it can create more problems than it solves. Keep a neutral and matter-of-fact tone when discussing the reasons you’re looking for. Avoid emotional language or broad criticism of the employer.
Stating the situation directly: “This role has evolved differently than originally described” or “The priorities of the organization have changed since I joined” are much more effective than detailed complaints. This approach accomplishes two things: Screens out companies with similar problems (preventing you from repeating your mistakes) and builds credibility with hiring managers who value careful, professional communication.
One ironclad rule applies here: Never disparage a current or former employer during an interview. Once you do this, you have planted doubt in the interviewer’s mind about your judgment and professionalism.
Why does the mismatch occur?
Organizations sometimes oversell opportunities intentionally or because recruiters don’t fully understand the day-to-day realities of the position. The result is a disconnect between expectations and experience that catches new employees off guard. These situations are more common than most people realize, and they’re not always anyone’s fault—sometimes things just change.
bottom line
If you find yourself regretting changing jobs, don’t panic. Before you begin your job search, take the time to thoroughly evaluate the situation through conversations with coworkers and managers. Hasty decisions made out of frustration rarely improve your situation. A methodical approach will give you the best chance of finding a place that better suits your needs and avoid similar situations in the future.
Ⓒ Big Game Hunters, Asheville, NC 2025
How much money are you looking for? delay and deflection
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter is a coach who has been a recruiter for a hundred years. His work spans career coaching, executive job coaching, job coaching, and interview coaching. He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,000 episodes.
Are you interested in 1:1 coaching, interview coaching, advice on networking more effectively, how to negotiate job opportunities, or leadership coaching? Schedule a discovery call on my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us
My courses can be found on my website www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses
Connect with me on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter
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