Don't Look a Gift Job in the Mouth

(MoneyWatch)  Dear Ron,
I'm a manager at a major retailer and I've been told that I'm about to be given a job to head up a new task force at our company. But from what I've heard so far, the job seems poorly configured and the title is below the level of responsibility this position seems to call for. Should I bring this up when I'm offered the new role, or would that seem ungrateful or otherwise impolitic?
My advice would be to not say anything at first and to simply profess your gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity. Quibbling about something like a title right off the bat might send the wrong signal that you're only concerned with the superficial aspects of the job, and is not something you want to lead with. But do note when you're accepting the role that you'd like to do some preliminary information gathering on your own and circle back with your initial impressions of the task.

Doing this will enable you to frame the problem in terms that will be most advantageous to you. If the problem is a big one, for instance, you might make it seem even bigger so that one, you'll get the resources and authority you need to solve the problem, and two, you'll look even better when you've cracked it. It's an approach that I see President Obama and members of his team employing during our current crisis in framing issues for the public and for Congress, although there's no doubt that our country faces huge challenges right now.

Hopefully when you return to your boss with your findings and recommendations you'll be able to convince him or her that the task requires the resources and authority, and yes, the job title, that you feel are necessary. By engaging him or her this way, you'll also get a feel for the true level of support you can expect from him or her in the future, which will be crucial to your project's ultimate success. But the key point is that you shouldn't try to negotiate all this in your initial meeting; instead, be grateful, patient, and take some time to set the situation up to your advantage.

Send Ron your career and job-related questions.