[Anonymous]

Really quick question…

I know I’m underpaid in my current position–due to all of the progressively difficult taskings that have been added to my original decription over the years. My employer keeps assigning me additional tasks and tries to explain it away as “this will be good for your career” (since she knows I’m sitting for my CPA license). While the tasks may be good for my career, I’m sure it’s just as good if not more for hers–making money and doing less. As a result of my frustration, I started putting out a few fillers to see how the market responds to my resume. Well, that was yesterday and today, I have 4 requests for phone interviews. Granted, I’m not naive and I recognize that this is often basic and almost preliminary for most employers these days. However, it really got my wheels to turning and I’m now wondering if I should jump ship after 3 1/2 yrs even though I do not yet have my license? Or, should I stick it out–underpaid and all–until I get my license? I do not desire to be a job hopper and really believe leaving my current job would likely result in my having to sit for at least another two years somewhere else before I can go for anything else. On the flip side, it doesn’t feel good to know that you’re underpaid (by $15-20k) and equally undervalued. What do you think?

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[mtaylo24]

IDK, but I'm in a similar situation. Haven't received a wooden penny extra since I started a year and a half ago, but I'm doing director level work (sigh). I went from healthcare to quasi-government, and lets just say the grass isn't always greener, there are pros and cons to both, so choose wisely.

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Anonymous]

mtaylo24, I was so prepared to take your response seriously, BUT seriously got stuck laughing my a** off at your comment “haven't received a wooden penny extra since I started”.

Okay…I've pulled it together. Knowing the grass isn't always greener on the other side is what I believe makes it so difficult to move forward. T

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Anonymous]

I know it is frustrating to feel like you are not appreciated but I would stick it out until you get your license. Other than the way your boss treats you, do you like the people you work with? If the environment is not toxic, I would stay and finish it out while studying for the exam. That way you have a routine while studying and it won't be disrupted by changing jobs.

[Anonymous]

Oh, yes! The people I work with are really cool and share the same opinion. Now don't get me wrong, all of the higher ups can go somewhere unpleasant because they act as if you're beneath them in a “I'm going to only speak to you when we're the only two people in the hallway walking in opposite directions, oh my gosh she just made contact with me now I'm forced to speak type of way”. Aside from that, the atmosphere is very relaxed AND flexible. If I wanted to take leave work right now, I could (letting my supervisor know of course). It's just the stuff I mentioned above that grinds my gears. I feel used! Wait…it's more than that…I feel like I'm being used and they think I'm too stupid to recognize I'm being used. But, I can definitely manage if I have to. I can sit in this office, listen to my music, do my work with ease, and leave on time every day.

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[thelatebloomer]

It seems to me that unless you are moving to a nice upgrade in pay, it would make more sense to wait until the license is achieved. However, I like that you're putting feelers out there. I would keep doing it until you find an awesome offer, and maybe do a few interviews. It will keep you sane knowing that your situation is temporary, and you may hit a home run. With that said, I would still focus most of your energy on passing the exams so it makes the decision a lot easier. 🙂

[Jdn9201]

I feel your pain as I have been in your shoes. If you are more than halfway done, I agree with staying but still keep your options open regardless. A couple pieces of advice – if you do get another job offer do not take a counter offer from your current employer. If it takes an offer from another job for them to pay you what you are worth then they don't deserve you. Also don't be too concerned about being a job hopper. I like to stay at jobs for a while too but only if I'm learning and I feel like I have advancement potential. The key in moving jobs more frequently is to be able to connect the dots and have good reasons why for moving to each new job.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Missy]

Personally I think its a huge mistake to turn down any interviews (unless its a job you wouldn't take under any circumstances then you'd be wasting everybody's time.)

Go. See what's out there. Might find you're actually doing better than you thought, might get the offer of a lifetime.

Either way I wouldn't close the door to any potential opportunities right now.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate you taking out the time to respond. I will go go ahead and do those phone interviews and keep my eyes open and for any opportunity that interest me. You're right…you never know. In the interim, I'll continue to focus on passing these exams. As I pass the parts, I'll update my resume accordingly. Heck, I may end up getting an offer for a job that will be glad to pay me more once I actually have the license in hand (put that in writing please LOL).

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Wannafree]

“haven't received a wooden penny extra since I started”. LOL

[Myredstapler]

In this day and age the only way to get a major salary increase is to job hop. I just started at a new company less than a year ago and that was a salary jump from 60 to 80K. I have interviewed with other companies recently that have a starting salary of over 100K (there is no way I could make this much unless I stay at my current position for at least another 3 years).

[Anonymous]

Go on the interviews….”this will be good for your career”. Worst case you turn down an offer and get some decent experience improving your interview skills.

[Namstut]

I would say use them as they use you. You have the flexibility to study so take that opportunity! Most likely the new job will come with additional pressure and will derail you from your studying.

You could still keep your feelers out there and take the interviews that seem like a great opportunity. There is obviously enough on your resume to spike interest and your CPA will only make you more marketable. And if the potential employer really wants you maybe you can work out a deal where you get some flexibility to allow you to get through the exams.

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[Anonymous]

@Namstut, my husband said the same thing! He says, I should set a deadline and stick to it. If I haven't completed my license by the end of 2017, then I should quit my job and kill it during the following quarter (of course, he'll take care of the household bills). This will allow me to have more time on my resume for the current job and I'll walk away with my license. It's just a hard position to be in because I know there's more money out there LOL.

I'm tired of operating in fear and mediocrity. It's time to try. It's time to do. It's time to go.

[Author]

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