Ann Israel is the legal profession's Dear Abby. A New York legal recruiter since 1979, Ann is a past president of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants. Advice for the Lawlorn is updated every Tuesday.

Q: I am a midlevel associate who just joined a small firm. I left my former employer on good terms.

When interviewing with the new firm, I was given a detailed description of my intended role and what my responsibilities would be at the new firm. I was also informed of the firm's practice area. I have been here under a month and have learned that my role and responsibilities are not and will not be as described. Also, the practice area is very different.

I am beginning to look for new employment, as this new job is a huge step back for me.

What do I tell potential employers about my present situation?

Stranded Associate

Dear Stranded: The first thing to tell potential employers is that all is not what it appears to be. As quickly as possible, if what you tell us is true, you need to find a new employer and get out of this terrible new firm.

The good news is that you were very wise and left your former employer on good terms. I suppose the first question to ask is whether or not there is any point in thinking about going back to that firm. Perhaps you might want to get yourself back there for at least another year or two to regroup and figure out what went wrong with this current job change.

Absent that idea, I am afraid that this is one instance where the old adage, "thou shall not speak badly about one's current employer," simply does not apply in your case. There is no other way out but to tell the truth. But how did it all come to this?

It is hard to imagine that everything can be so very different from when you interviewed with this firm. Not only are your responsibilities and your role in the firm completely different from the detailed description you were given and told they would be but the practice area is not the same. How is this possible? This is, actually, quite bizarre.

It is necessary for me to ask if you did your due diligence prior to accepting an offer from this firm. If you did and this is what happened, you have every reason to sit down with the managing partner and ask what has happened to the job you thought you had accepted.

If you didn't do your due diligence on this firm then part of the blame rests with you. It is going to be very difficult to explain to future employers what happened because it is simply going to boil down to a case of accepting a job due to poor judgment on your part.

In the final analysis, though, this firm certainly burned you, and as long as you are short and sweet when discussing this with potential employers and not angry or defensive, the interviewer should believe you and then move on to the rest of the interview. Fortunately, you have only been there a very short while, and your references from your original employer should still be strong (be sure to call them and let them know what is going on).

The most important thing for you to do is make the move as soon as possible and not stick around at this crazy firm any longer than is necessary. And don't forget to do some major due diligence prior to accepting any offers!

Best wishes!

Sincerely,
Ann Israel
President, Ann Israel & Associates