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Original poster

My new job is not what I thought it would be…

23 replies

Givenup2026 · 01/04/2026 09:57

Hey ladies!

Looking for advice 🙂 The role I just started was for all terms and purposes a “bait and switch”. I love the company and the product, so it’s not necessarily the end of the world, but obviously I didn’t start with the right foot.

Has this happened no anyone? How did you manage it? The salary and benefits are great too. Just that the title and half the responsibilities are more junior than I expected.

At least my manager has been super apologetic (a green flag!) but I’m really concerned I’m going to be underused.

OP posts:
UpTheWomen · 01/04/2026 10:30

Did you have a thread about this yesterday, but a lot of people were apparently confused by your (perfectly standard!) terminology? If so, I’m not surprised you’re trying again!

In your shoes I’d be going back to the JD for the role you applied for and showing that this is the title and job you accepted, and that it doesn’t include those duties of the lower band role they are now trying to make you perform for half your week. Ask why they are willing to pay you the higher rate for your specialist skills but only deploy them for half the time. It all sounds very odd to me and I genuinely wouldn’t be staying to do half the job I had accepted in your situation. I presume you’ve signed a contract for a particular job title, and therefore can match it to the job description and show clearly you haven’t signed up for the lesser role?

Shinyandnew1 · 01/04/2026 10:38

Are you the poster from a day or so ago who was using the word hybrid to mean doing two different roles rather than in the office/WFH?

If you genuinely think this is a ‘bait and switch’ scenario and you have been fraudulently recruited, you need a serious meeting with your HR/boss. Are you in a union?

Original poster
Givenup2026 · 01/04/2026 10:41

Yea, that’s me! And yes it’s been confirmed it’s a “mixed” role. And nobody really knew about apart from one guy in the US. I was not informed about this at any given point (because to me helping is very different to “mixed”).

They’re all very much aware the JD doesn’t match what they want me to do.

HR told me to talk to my boss, who was apologetic but it is what it is basically.

OP posts:

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noidea69 · 01/04/2026 13:55

I'd kick back and count the money doing an easier job than what you thought it would be.

YourOliveBalonz · 01/04/2026 15:09

I imagine your post can only be funded if you are shared between the role you thought you would be doing, and the more junior role they need to cover.

I suppose it’s up to you in terms of how this impacts your progression plans and how much you actually like the work (because more junior tasks doesn’t automatically mean kicking back, it could be doing more grunt work that you thought you wouldn’t be saddled with at this point!)

The job title is a sticking point though, I wonder if you can negotiate that. Fair enough if they give you other duties and you accepted that, but the title might matter for your future career, and you accepted the job based on what was advertised.

Original poster
Givenup2026 · 01/04/2026 15:21

YourOliveBalonz · 01/04/2026 15:09

I imagine your post can only be funded if you are shared between the role you thought you would be doing, and the more junior role they need to cover.

I suppose it’s up to you in terms of how this impacts your progression plans and how much you actually like the work (because more junior tasks doesn’t automatically mean kicking back, it could be doing more grunt work that you thought you wouldn’t be saddled with at this point!)

The job title is a sticking point though, I wonder if you can negotiate that. Fair enough if they give you other duties and you accepted that, but the title might matter for your future career, and you accepted the job based on what was advertised.

They already have a person covering the more “junior” duties and they’re making her split her time too (even though she has zero experience in my role).

and like you say, it isn’t easier it’s just more monotonous and I personally don’t like it.

The title is the least of my concerns as they’ve told me I have carte blanche to put whatever I want on LinkedIn

OP posts:
Friendlygingercat · 01/04/2026 15:53

Never ask for extra work because you will surely be lumbered.

Original poster
Givenup2026 · 01/04/2026 15:54

Friendlygingercat · 01/04/2026 15:53

Never ask for extra work because you will surely be lumbered.

It’s not about amount of work for father type of work.

OP posts:
FlapperFlamingo · 01/04/2026 16:47

Can you do additional training whilst you are there to stretch yourself, like a MSc or MA part time. If you manager is sympathetic he may pay for it in modules after you pass probation. In that way you could get the title and qualifications for the next level up maybe so you can make a move in 3 years' time?

Hecatoncheires · 01/04/2026 17:18

I took a new job as it promised more of the component that I particularly enjoyed in my previous role. When I got there I was told “oh, there’s a particular department that does all that”. So my involvement was peripheral. Even worse, when I saw things being done incorrectly there was nothing I could do about it. Very frustrating and I ended up leaving the organisation. I hope you manage to sort things out, OP.

Original poster
Givenup2026 · 01/04/2026 17:19

FlapperFlamingo · 01/04/2026 16:47

Can you do additional training whilst you are there to stretch yourself, like a MSc or MA part time. If you manager is sympathetic he may pay for it in modules after you pass probation. In that way you could get the title and qualifications for the next level up maybe so you can make a move in 3 years' time?

Edited

I don’t need any more training or certifications, I’m already very experienced, in theory that’s why they hired me!

OP posts:
SerenitySeeker4 · 01/04/2026 17:21

Friendlygingercat · 01/04/2026 15:53

Never ask for extra work because you will surely be lumbered.

True that.

PloddingAlong21 · 03/04/2026 05:02

Sounds like they’ve been clear - they agree the description isn’t what’s been sold, but that’s what it is. You either accept it or leave.

keepswimming38 · 03/04/2026 05:12

@Givenup2026whats your father got to do with it?

TorroFerney · 03/04/2026 06:42

keepswimming38 · 03/04/2026 05:12

@Givenup2026whats your father got to do with it?

Indeed, this is very Mrs Malaprop!

Original poster
Givenup2026 · 03/04/2026 06:57

Givenup2026 · 01/04/2026 15:54

It’s not about amount of work for father type of work.

Show quote history

Sorry it was neat to be “not the amount of work but rather the type of work”

OP posts:
Thingamebobwotsit · 03/04/2026 07:03

This happened to me. Withint a few weeks I had my suspicions I had been actively sold a pup, by 3 months I had found another role.

For everyone saying 'kick back' it isn't as simple as that. If you enjoy your job, being in a role which doesn't interest you can be extremely demotivating and - worse - make it more difficult to step up next time.

I was lucky at the time, the job market was strong. But don't stay if you aren't happy, and to be honest it doesn't sound like the organisation are going to be proactive about addresing this. And if you do change jobs again, don't worry about how it looks on your CV. You can justify the move authentically and it didn't cause me any issues.

Original poster
Givenup2026 · 03/04/2026 07:04

PloddingAlong21 · 03/04/2026 05:02

Sounds like they’ve been clear - they agree the description isn’t what’s been sold, but that’s what it is. You either accept it or leave.

I think so! I’ve had a few conversations with other stakeholders and the HR lady was super impressed with everything I’ve agreed in so far.

the great news is that my colleague (who will also transition to a mixed tole) has said she’s not happy.with this new directive, so I think between the two of can agree on me taking the things that I like and she takes the things that she likes and we’re both happy.

OP posts:
Macinae · 03/04/2026 09:35

I wouldn't be happy to do a job that was different to the one I'd applied for, interviewed for and then accepted. Nor do I think it's ever a good thing for a JD to not match what they actually want you to do. You might see their apology as a green flag, but the mess of this happening in the first place is a red flag for the organisation and I'd look elsewhere.

Original poster
Givenup2026 · 03/04/2026 11:17

Macinae · 03/04/2026 09:35

I wouldn't be happy to do a job that was different to the one I'd applied for, interviewed for and then accepted. Nor do I think it's ever a good thing for a JD to not match what they actually want you to do. You might see their apology as a green flag, but the mess of this happening in the first place is a red flag for the organisation and I'd look elsewhere.

I think in an ideal scenario this should have been explained at offer stage and it was up to me to accept.

i probably would have still accepted but would have asked to redraft the JD and with a clearer role evolution.

OP posts:
Salyexley · 06/04/2026 21:38

So you work for a scam company? Cos that's what bait and switch is... If you aren't happy, apply for another job like everyone else

Salyexley · 06/04/2026 21:41

Arrogant much

Original poster
Givenup2026 · 06/04/2026 21:45

Salyexley · 06/04/2026 21:38

So you work for a scam company? Cos that's what bait and switch is... If you aren't happy, apply for another job like everyone else

Ok my friend

My new job is not what I thought it would be…
OP posts:
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