Here at The Muse, we get a lot of questions from our users about their careers. And that’s totally fair because our whole thing is sharing advice with you to help you achieve your dreams (whatever they may be!).
And we provide answers in a few different ways—from writing entire articles devoted to one question (as we have, for example, here, here, here), to responding on social media, to introducing you to amazing career coaches, to connecting you with each other on our Discussions section. And today we’re introducing an entirely new way: quick takes!
Going forward, whenever we get a lot of questions on one topic, we’ll compile them into one article and give you a few fast answers.
Today’s topic? Getting catfished in your job search!
When a job isn’t what you thought it would be, how can you search for a new one without seeming like a job hopper?
Let’s back up for a second. Are you sure the job isn’t what you thought? Or are you just adjusting? It takes a few weeks (or even a few months) for a role to develop into the one it’s meant to be.
With that said, you might’ve been misled. That might’ve been on purpose. Or, more realistically, it might’ve been a result of bad communication or company changes that weren't reflected in the hiring process.
While you can spin leaving a job early, we recommend trying to make the best of it for a year or so. Start by making a list of everything you thought you’d be doing and bringing it to your boss. Is there a way to work any of these responsibiities into your current role and turn this into a job that excites you?
You can also make a list of everything you can learn from the position you’re stuck in. Think of that as your syllabus. Focus on learning as much as you can over the next 12 months.
Then, when you do start looking, you’ll be a much stronger candidate (who’s not stuck explaining why you’re bouncing so fast).
Read More: What You Can Realistically Do When Your New Job Catfishes You
I’ve wound up not liking my last several jobs, despite the fact they seemed perfect for me. Is it them, or is it me?
Eek, this is awkward, but it’s probably you! This time around, sit down and really think about what you’ve liked and disliked in each role thus far. That list of “likes” is your ideal job description. So, the first step is finding a role (or an industry) that matches it. Now, do the same for company culture.
While you’ll likely never find an opening that matches up to exactly what you want, use that list as your North Star and rule out anything that doesn’t have at least a 75% overlap.
Read More: 22 Interview Questions That Will Get You the Real Scoop on Company Culture
I’ve realized I don’t actually have a passion for the field I got my degree in. What do I do now?
Good news: It’s definitely not too late to switch it up! So many people are in roles right now that have very little to do with their degree. Rather than spending any time worrying that you made a bad choice when you were 18, focus on what you actually want to do next and what skills you’ll need to break in. Then make a plan to get those skills and land that dream job!
Read More: How to Apply for a Job in a New Field When You Have No Traditional Experience
This article is part of our Ask an Expert series—a column dedicated to helping you tackle your biggest career concerns. Our experts are excited to answer all of your burning questions, and you can submit one by emailing us at editor(at)themuse(dot)com and using Ask a Credible Career Coach in the subject line.
Your letter may be published in an article on The Muse. All letters to Ask an Expert become the property of Daily Muse, Inc and will be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical correctness.