You can't really tell how good a job is from a want ad. There's often a gap between the exciting opportunity portrayed in the ad and the actual job.

What You Could Do Today

You can often get the straight scoop about a job by asking the right questions. For example, in the job interview, ask, "What attributes are most needed to succeed in this job?" If the boss says, "We need a real self-starter," that's a clue you won't get much support.

After you're offered a job but before accepting it, ask a few more questions or even ask permission to talk with your future coworkers.

Ask questions like these:

What it's like to work here?

What can I expect in pay raises?

What kind of training is offered?

How's the boss?

Are the products good?

How many people have held this position in the past few years?

Why did they leave?

You may not always get straight answers, but you'll probably get enough to help you decide if you should take the job.

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