TLDR: I faked a foreign accent in a job interview, got the job and kept the accent for two years so far.

I'm only telling y'all this now cuz I'm at a breaking point and need to leave this bitch....the guilt of privilege, imposter syndrome, and other identity issues are all very real and aren't worth the effort at this point.

So, a little over two years ago I held a management position at a small contractor but was basically the right hand man to the director with no direct reports of my own. He was a young guy that was promoted from manager, and I slid up into his spot, but it was obvious that it was as far as I'd go at this company since he wasn't going anytime soon.
And I was happy with it, I had the leeway to do what I wanted and was able to work on my own professional development...certs, degree, etc

I was only really motivated to leave as my daughter was about to enter college and I realized the scholarships werent gonna come in like we thought.

So I started applying to director positions. Actually, folks would reach out to me because I looked good on paper....in the world of construction I had field experience (ex-tradesperson) and corporate experience, the highest certs in the industry, an undergrad degree and was working on a grad degree that was specific to my field.
inevitably though, those convos would get to salary and it would be a dub.
For context, I was making 108k and was looking at a raise that would take me to about 115K, so I wasn't really looking to leave for less than 130, cuz like i said, I had it pretty good....it would be tight for college, but doable.

Anyway, I found a job, applied, got the callback and a scheduled interview...and I had a conversation with a friend about standing out in person the same way that i appeared to stand out on paper, and they suggested jokingly that I should use a foreign accent. At the time it was shits and giggles, so I agreed, but imagine my surprise when 5 minutes into the interview the recruiter tells me he's pushing me through and then spent the next 50 minutes just shooting the shit. it actually started to get a little flirty, but i was widdit...lol

more context, my parents ARE foreign. I'm black and grew up in NYC 30 years ago, so while my passport is not american, EVERYTHING else is. I don't identify with my country of birth, but can play the role, so I did.

I breezed through 3 subsequent interviews in a week and had a job offer two weeks later at 140 and a 25% bonus, even though I asked for 130.

Truthfully, it was all humorous but it also made me mad, it was like wearing a whiteman mask and then hearing everyone talking about "those niggers" over there.

Anyway, I went from a 50/50 field/office split, to a completely corporate environment and all the politics that go with it, but also executive travel and meals and all the perks of corporate privilege.

I've run into old friends while at corporate events and had to switch the accent out both sides of my mouth within the same room, but I've kept the secret for two years now and have essentially doubled my income in the last 3 years, allowing my daughter to graduate this year with no debt, thanks to me paying 50K+ out of pocket.

but jesus, i feel like i sold my soul, yo
I'd take a pay cut to find something I'd be happy with

Anyway, thats it, just wanted to vent and liven the boards a little
AMA, if you want