What to Do - Finally Got Federal Job But I HATE It

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been in this position, but it sometimes takes me years to find another lateral fed job…how do you all manage to keep plodding along? I honestly already had depression now I am totally dead inside.

decent paying jobs in my series are rare, and they write the qualifications so specifically for the 13 and 14 that you need to have had the exact job before to even get an interview.

“Dead inside”. FFS, you would literally kill your self if you had to do a real job like working a paving crew in August, sanitation, or as a social worker dealing with unhinged unhorsed.

If you are really so capable, use the time to do the best work you can, take a cr@p ton of training and self teach on skills (become a PMP or learn to program Excel — these are all things that can make any job more productive, so you aren’t defrauding the gov), and make what improvements you can. Exercise during lunch.

I can’t even, did you have ever to work a mildly unpleasant job like dining hall in college or cleaning up on aisle 13 in high school, or did mom and dad grease the skids you only had to work in an air conditioned office on your tush?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been in this position, but it sometimes takes me years to find another lateral fed job…how do you all manage to keep plodding along? I honestly already had depression now I am totally dead inside.

decent paying jobs in my series are rare, and they write the qualifications so specifically for the 13 and 14 that you need to have had the exact job before to even get an interview.

“Dead inside”. FFS, you would literally kill your self if you had to do a real job like working a paving crew in August, sanitation, or as a social worker dealing with unhinged unhorsed.

If you are really so capable, use the time to do the best work you can, take a cr@p ton of training and self teach on skills (become a PMP or learn to program Excel — these are all things that can make any job more productive, so you aren’t defrauding the gov), and make what improvements you can. Exercise during lunch.

I can’t even, did you have ever to work a mildly unpleasant job like dining hall in college or cleaning up on aisle 13 in high school, or did mom and dad grease the skids you only had to work in an air conditioned office on your tush?

Unhorsed, as interesting as that is, should be unhoused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been in this position, but it sometimes takes me years to find another lateral fed job…how do you all manage to keep plodding along? I honestly already had depression now I am totally dead inside.

decent paying jobs in my series are rare, and they write the qualifications so specifically for the 13 and 14 that you need to have had the exact job before to even get an interview.

Honestly, I manage by having a really satisfying life outside of work and making very strategic use of my time at the office. I work exactly my hours, no more. I schedule myself for external stakeholder meetings and events on my in-office days and meet friends who work elsewhere for coffee or lunch. I go for walks. And then I shut my door and get work done. I also make time for small talk with my colleagues, knowing the days I’m in are just not going to be easy for things I need quiet for. My colleagues are not horrible people. The job is difficult and unsatisfying, and leadership is absent. So, you just do your best doing what you can to contribute to the mission. I’m not sure what kind of work you do, but I’m sure there’s some connection to the mission of your agency that you believe in. If not, you’re going to be miserable and you should leave when you can. You might also want to invest in some therapy for the time being because a lot of being happy despite a boring job, has to do with you.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the federal agency I worked for a blue moon ago. I realized I’m just not cut out for government work.

[Anonymous]

You know, there’s a saying for this — “that’s what the money is for”. You’ll be fine but if you have ambitions and opportunities come by, spend your time making sure you’re in a position to take them.

[Anonymous]

OP, focus on impressing people so that you can have great reviews when you interview for other jobs. Once you are in a federal job it’s easier to get other federal jobs. Treat this like your foot in the door.

[Anonymous]

Can you please share what agency this is? I work in the USG and have never experienced anything like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you please share what agency this is? I work in the USG and have never experienced anything like this.

You’ve never experienced loud coworkers who are friends talking in a hallway? I’ve worked with many of colleagues for over a decade. It’s probably a little intimidating/annoying for a new hire to walk right into our office who doesn’t understand the relationships we all have with each other. I try to not annoy the new people and be inclusive and respectful but the culture has been around longer than me, and so has the leadership. It’s easy to deal with. It’s called headphones and a door, and making some effort to be nice to people.

[Anonymous]

Very sorry to hear this! I really like my federal job. Must highly depend on the agency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like the federal agency I worked for a blue moon ago. I realized I’m just not cut out for government work.

I had a similar experience several years ago. I came from a corporate environment where it was extremely fast paced and the work never ended. My experience with the federal govt was the complete opposite. I returned to the private sector.

[Anonymous]

Step one: Get a pair of noise canceling headphones.

Then you have a choice to make. Coast like your coworkers, or work hard and build relationships and rise to leadership.

Or abandon ship and roll the dice on the job market.

[Anonymous]

The smaller agencies are ranked better laces to work than the bigger ones. Look for a job at a smaller one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they hiring? I’m looking for a lazy girl (midlife menopause) job

+1 Right there with ya, sister.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The smaller agencies are ranked better laces to work than the bigger ones. Look for a job at a smaller one.

While I don't disagree, I'd say to look at your component rankings. I'm a top component in a mediocre agency. Life is great! Nothing like what OP has described at all. Sometimes dealing with other components in my agency is rough because they're all so dysfunctional.

I've been at an agency like OP describes, but it's been a decade. It was miserable and I just thought that's how work was. I was 22 when I started and didn't realize that work could be enjoyable and that coworkers could be smart and helpful.

[Anonymous]

If a government job is what you really want, hang in there and do your job. Stay in this position at least a year and start looking. Take time to network around your agency. You need 3 years to be a permanent employee. Get some noise reducing headphones and ignore it.