DISCLAIMER: This post provides a general overview of employment conflicts that might arise when you overstate your qualifications. It is not legal advice. If you require information or advice applied to your unique situation, please make an appointment to discuss it with an attorney experienced with the subject matter and in your jurisdiction. Don’t rely solely on what you read on the Internet. Ever.
Many people have been told to apply for jobs they aren’t fully qualified for and simply “fake it until they make it.” As a New York employment attorney and workplace mediator, I can tell you that is terrible advice.
I learned this lesson the hard way. Many years ago, before law school, I landed a job by naively overselling my experience. I thought I was more ready than I was for the next level in the industry, and the employer made some flawed assumptions about my abilities. We were incompatible in many ways, and I ended up getting fired before I could figure out how to succeed. The employer, in turn, ended up getting sued because they withheld my earnings, and the state’s representative quickly identified the discrimination I had endured on top of that.
Mine is a fairly common scenario, and it doesn’t have to be. Most workplace disputes—and the underlying career friction—can be resolved out of court if we address the root causes. This takes some self-reflection and humility.
Three Truths About Faking It
Here is what I’ve learned about the danger of overselling yourself in a job:
- It’s almost impossible to fake it, especially now. Jobs are more complex than ever, and you don’t know what you don’t know. This lack of knowledge can lead to poor performance, strained relationships, and even cause serious professional or financial harm to the organization.
- There is a difference between knowledge and skill. You might know about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the general concepts of machine learning, but that doesn’t mean you can program an algorithm or manage a development team. Be honest about where your expertise ends and your proficiency begins.
- Employment is a Partnership. If you oversold yourself, the employer holds some responsibility for hiring poorly. However, the greater responsibility falls to you to be a good partner—that means either finding a way to deliver on the job’s requirements or recognizing it’s time to leave gracefully.
What to Do When You’ve Oversold Yourself
If you’ve landed in a role where you realize you weren’t as prepared as you thought, do not let paralysis set in. Your next step should be action in the real world, not more overthinking.
Instead of hiding the gap in your skills, here are constructive steps you can take to close it:
- Come Clean (Strategically). Have an honest conversation with your employer about where you need support and ask for specific resources or help.
- Consult Others. Actively consult with colleagues and mentors in similar roles, both inside and outside your organization.
- Educate Yourself. Read books about your job function, watch instructional videos, take relevant courses (in-person or online), and attend industry conferences.
- Get a Mentor. Seek out a formal or informal mentor who can provide guidance and perspective.
- Do the Remedial Work. Accept that you might have to put in extra, remedial work to catch up. Treat this as an investment in yourself.
The Payoff: Resilience and Success
Recognizing a shortfall and aggressively working to fix it pays off handsomely. You will:
- Be more likely to keep your current job, rebuild trust, and turn an uncertain situation into a success story.
- Gain conflict resolution skills you can use in your next role.
- Build resilience and mental strength that can be helpful in all areas of your life.
You might have discovered you weren’t as prepared as you thought for your role, but you are stronger and smarter than you sometimes think. This situation is fixable.