Raise your hand if youve ever been fooled by a job description! You know the drill: The job description says one thing, but once youre actually on the job, youre juggling a totally different set of responsibilities.

Whether the job is different from day one or if it changes gradually during the first few months, know that youre not the first person to say, This isnt what I signed up for. According to a recent Monster poll , 85 percent indicated yes, theyve indeed been fooled by a job description.

Thankfully, there are ways to tactfully handle this awkward situation. Before each job interview, you should get into the habit of copying and pasting the job descriptions into a document. Do this for two reasons: First, youll have it at your fingertips when you eventually need to update your resume down the road. Second, use it as a reference guide. How? Read on.

Speak to your boss. If your job is suddenly looking like a different job entirely, schedule a meeting with your boss. Do not confront him or her with an angry, What gives? attitude.

Instead, say something like, During my job interview, we outlined what my role would be, and we talked about the job description. But what we discussed seems to be off target with what Im actually doing. I wanted to check in with you to make sure that Im not missing something here. I want to excel this year and create concrete goals so I exceed them, but I need to ensure Im clear on what this role really entails.

Make it a dialogue, not a monologue. Allow for silence. Listen to your bosss explanation, and decide if this is the path you want to continue on.

Push back and/or adjust. Your boss and colleagues may assume your altered job is no big deal; after all, its pretty rare for an entire job to be 100% accurate from interview to new hire. If colleagues keep giving you new responsibilities and you just want to tell them to talk to the hand, you can do it in a tactful way. Say something like, I know Im new, but right now Im focused on making my deadline for XYZ project, and what youre asking me for falls in another bucket.

As you navigate the tricky waters, ask yourself if you like what youre doing. Can you grow into these new responsibilities? Do you get to work with a new department and expand your skill set and experiences? Or is it similar grunt work you were trying to get away from at your former job?

If youre doing more than one persons share of work, make a case to your supervisor to work from home one or more days each week. Ask if theres some money in the budget for training. If the push back isnt working, pick your battles and start jotting down your new duties so you can add them to your resume.

Interview smartly. Whether or not it was intentional on your new employers part, the reality is that you were duped. Not cool! But remember, it never hurts to look for new opportunities externally.

When you go on job interviews in the future, be inquisitive. Ask how likely it is for job descriptions to be completely altered? You can even mention the responsibilities you have at your current job, and explain what it is you really would like to be doing.

Aim to get a better feel for the job so hopefully this situation wont happen again. You always have the power to leave a job (especially one you never really wanted in the first place) and find a better, more straightforward opportunity.