Changing jobs and imposter syndrome

[Lomita277]

To start off, I am a fully qualified ACCA accountant. I passed all my exams as a housewife studying at home while my children were in secondary school (passed all the first time round and I'm only saying it as I was directly asked this by a recruiter).

I posted here before about my really low training salary and was willing to overlook it as my boss was giving me lots of experience and showing me new things. Fast forward 5 years, separated, soon to rely fully on my own income (I want to do this) and I am earning well below a starting accountant's rate and not learning anything new. The more senior colleagues who have been there a long time earn a decent living.

My problem is how to approach job interviews when I am asked about my salary and about my boss (I work in a small town near a small city so many of the practice owners know each other). Firstly, I feel really uncomfortable when asked about my salary as it is so embarrassingly low. No scope for a raise, I have to ask every year and this year he said no. I feel as though this makes me look incompetent to potential hirers.

Secondly, my boss, when I have a technical issue, makes me feel like I have no idea what I am doing and he starts explaining things in a very elementary manner - it's very condescending. So I am unsure what kind of reference he will give me.

This is terrible for my self-esteem as I start to feel like I am not valued, not doing as good a job as I should. That's the worst part. Whenever I tell someone what I earn, and they are shocked, I feel like it is my fault.

I am college educated, I have a B.A. and M.A. I studied languages but never went into teaching. For my future I will not be able to live comfortably on what he is paying me.

Accountancy is my second career and I enjoy the work. I wonder can anyone give me a positive way of approaches these issues in a job interview situation?

You need to move on asap but I suspect you already know that.

Why do you think every potential employer will ask about your current salary? They will more likely ask what your salary expectations are for the role in question. Even if they do ask, you can tell the truth- that you have been on a training salary so far and now that you are qualified you are seeking a salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience.

Why not go to a recruiter who specialises in your field and get some interviews lined up? Good luck and get away from that awful boss!

Yeah, they won't care or will see you as a potential gold mine. There is always so much need for people with financial qualifications across all kinds of work, including charities and education. They'll see you as someone they can pay a reasonable salary to, and who will be pleased as punch.

A lukewarm reference is nothing in comparison and comes after the offer. It only has to be good enough not for the offer to be rescinded, and on the basis of the information provided that's not going to happen. Plus after five years if your boss is unkind he's only going to make himself look a fool.

Do some board work if you are really worried. Charities will jump at anyone who can do numbers.

It's getting more common for candidates not to be asked about current salary, and asked about expectations instead - as the market rate for the role should be the leading factor, not previous salary. References these days normally confirm dates of employment and job title only. Hoping this reassures you and hope you secure a great role as a salary that reflects your qualifications and experience.

DH tends to switch jobs every 2 years, he has made massive salary progression this way.

He's never asked about his current salary, only his expectations.

In your case, I'd pick the salary you are aiming for, that you think is realistic with your level of experience and ask for it. Don't under sell yourself!

Your skill set is highly sought after, they will be lucky to get you! Best of luck

Your boss sounds like a controlling arse who is using you. He's probably very pleased he has someone who he can tread on and not pay appropriately.
If they do ask about your salary, explain that it was a training role so you're there for the experience
Good luck, aim high and be proud of yourself

A good recruiter will be worth their weight in gold in this scenario - you can use them as a shield for salary related conversations. It’s in a recruiter’s best interests to get you the highest possible salary, so they can have conversations about salary expectations before you have to - they won’t care what your current salary is, only what sort of salary someone of your level should be getting.