See ya feds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just gave notice at my agency to take a private sector job. It feels GREAT.

Were you able to get a pay raise of about 50%? That’s what has made me not take it, I’ve only been able to get jobs at about $220k, which is the best a lateral move and is at least as risky, especially with the private market basically entering your session

No, not a 50% raise, which is unrealistic for any job change unless maybe you are going to Biglaw. I’m getting a smaller raise and will be able to invest what was going to my FERS-FRAE pension on my own with potentially better returns. I would say the move is within the range of lateral but with a much higher potential growth than Fed. Plus I get to WFH partially and not subjected to the endless barrage of disdain and chaos. And I’d probably end up Schedule F so job security is illusory at this point.

You must be a lot younger, 0.8% to invest would not be noteworthy! At my age and my colleagues we worry about being aged out not planning on promotion in private (we are all 50).

Best of luck, it’s hard out there!

It’s 4.4% for me, plus I got increased comp to cover some of the govt FERS pension contribution. i’m also in your age range but not willing to be paralyzed. And I have often made career decisions that run counter to conventional wisdom (like leaving a Fed job while pregnant earlier in my career!) Has worked out so far.

It sounds like you are in law right? That helps as it is not nearly as ageist as other corporate roles.

I definitely feel paralyzed; many of my friends in private were laid off and still looking for work a year later. If I leave I want enough money to offset the risk of layoff and cover expenses. I am not schedule F so would be eligible for severance as well.

No not law but a different highly trained field.

You only live once!!

Medicine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm actually work in the private sector and am looking for a job in the federal government while I am still relatively young (40s) preferably at a favored agency. There is way too much age discrimination in the private sector--it seems impossible to have stable employment through your 50s in many white collar occupations. I would take a pay cut to do it.

My agency is hiring and it is favored and not as terrible as others. But we were subjected to all the horrible-ness by DOGE and now generally RTO with a little telework due to space constraints, but rumors that it going away soon: https://www.ferc.gov/about/careers/job-searchapply

There were also some attorney positions that just closed but keep an eye out for more openings.

[Anonymous]

OP, can you say how you made the transition? I’ve been approached by recruiters but a little nervous about making a change. But I’m starting to think it may be time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, can you say how you made the transition? I’ve been approached by recruiters but a little nervous about making a change. But I’m starting to think it may be time.

OP what field role do you have that feels protected? I know medicine and law are generally less ageism, anything else?

[Anonymous]

Congrats!! Good luck in your new role.

[Anonymous]

Really hope it’s not frying pan into fire, all my friends in tech friends since are freaking out!

[Anonymous]

Congrats OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really hope it’s not frying pan into fire, all my friends in tech friends since are freaking out!

The frying pan sucked so bad, would prefer to be in the fire where I can transform into a beautiful phoenix instead of stinky greasy cast iron. Ha ha.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, can you say how you made the transition? I’ve been approached by recruiters but a little nervous about making a change. But I’m starting to think it may be time.

Just talk to the recruiters and take it one step at a time. That is how I started - and people kept telling me “it’s good to interview to see what’s out there.” Then the more I saw I was not in fact trapped, the less I could stand my agency.

[Anonymous]

What’s the protocol for working with recruiters? Are you supposed to stick to just one? And do they normally assist with any potential conflict issues? What are potential conflicts at your agency - we need to disclose to our manager that we are interviewing, which seems incredibly awkward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really hope it’s not frying pan into fire, all my friends in tech friends since are freaking out!

The frying pan sucked so bad, would prefer to be in the fire where I can transform into a beautiful phoenix instead of stinky greasy cast iron. Ha ha.

What field are you in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm actually work in the private sector and am looking for a job in the federal government while I am still relatively young (40s) preferably at a favored agency. There is way too much age discrimination in the private sector--it seems impossible to have stable employment through your 50s in many white collar occupations. I would take a pay cut to do it.

Glad to hear you feel young I'm in my 40's too and still have a whole lot of career left but feel old. Loved the private sector but got laid off and now I'm back in the federal gov. Grateful to be employed but my former job was amazing.