This happens surprisingly often. What's even more troubling is that after quitting or getting fired from the job, the person wonders what just happened. The employee blames the employer, and the employer goes back to square one in the hiring game. But, if the employer is responsible for singing that promising song, it's usually the job hunter's naivete or wishful thinking that leads him to crash on the rocks. There are ways to avoid such a costly mistake, and it's worth recognizing some of the signs of danger before you're too close to avoid it.
Interest comes out of the blue.
Usually, the request for an interview comes out of the blue. A person isn't actively looking, a friend recommends a job, a headhunter calls, or an old reply to an ad finally gets attention. The bait is flattery. This is great, you might think we want employers to call us. It means they're motivated to treat us with respect and enthusiasm.