Qestion: I have learned a lesson: to trust my intuition. And the grass elsewhere may not be greener, thicker and softer, but merely an illusion. Here’s what happened.

I recently took a new job at a small manufacturing company with an office staff of about 30. In the first interview, my gut told me to walk away, but my ego got caught up when a well-regarded company recruited me – they wanted ME to work there.

I was too trusting. I didn’t get anything in writing. Within one month, the company cut benefits and bonuses to one half of what was originally promised.

The company’s owner, who turned out to be a micromanager, is, I later discovered, an alcoholic with drunk-driving charges on his record who does not do anything to get his addiction under control. After lunch, you can smell alcohol on his breath from a desk away. The owner has a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality – in the space of 15 minutes.

And finally, after working my tail off to finish college at night and obtain certain professional certifications, the office manager informed me that I would not be allowed to use my professional designations because another woman in the same position would “feel bad” if I did.

What should I do? I can’t afford to miss a paycheck. If I look for another position, do I put this one on my résumé? I can never tell anyone why I want to leave this company, as the owner is well known for community leadership. Should I contact recruiters? If so, what should I say?

Sign me “Wiser Now”

View this repugnant episode as a learning experience that teaches you to look before you cross the street when the street’s name is “I accept your job offer.”

Quick tips

Launch a stealth search. Yes, reach out to a trusted recruiter. Renew professional networking, especially in membership organizations.

Revisit your college career center. Study job ads, but aim for decision makers through employee or third-party referrals. Refresh your references from your previous jobs – you’ll need them. I’m not sure you can keep a lid on your search, but try.

It’s OK to level with your recruiter, who will explain anything that needs explaining to a potential employer, but be more circumspect in job interviews.

Say that it quickly became apparent you and your employer have differing philosophies and goals.

You don’t think it’s right to take their money when you can’t be an enthusiastic team player.

You decided to cut everyone’s losses and quickly move into a more promising position where your talents can be fully valued.

If pressed, you can safely mention the denial of your right to use hard-won professional designations, as well as a reduction of the original compensation offer, but let it go at that.

Keep the personal management flaws to yourself.

As for a résumé mention, list the job as “temporary work,” which is what it will turn out to be.

The results

Fast-forward to a month later, when Wiser Now sent me the following e-mail:

Thanks for your advice. Just a quick note to let you know that I have received an offer from one of the best companies in the state, truly one of those that people just never leave. I began acting on all your suggestions, but in my case, it was the recruiter who came though with the winner job. I am so excited and so relieved to be able to move on – just as soon as I complete my pre-employment research, that is.

And, yes, the interview experience felt “just right” in my gut. I’ll never again be tone-deaf to intuition.