Should I take a big pay cut for a government job offer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went from $79k to $161k in 5 years in govt. I took a cut to get my foot in the door. It might be worth it!

I also went up about $80k in around 5 years, but impression is that such a rapid increase is unusual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do your write proposals OP? Is your name in the proposals as key personnel?

Yes to both. I'm at/near the point in contracting where I'm a little underpaid - capable of getting offers $160k+ now, but am happy with my current project, team, and benefits so have turned those offers down. Overall though I hate being a contractor and being so disposable.

[Anonymous]

You need to sit down with your partner and discuss this. I have seen far too many FS or other agency trailing spouses end up embittered and resentful for their careers stalling. The government does not owe your partner a job, contrary to what many spouses think. Not all telework setups function properly for trailing spouses. Your partner might only be able to secure an administrative job at the embassy. Nurses and teachers always seem to do okay IME.
Then again, many spouses like working at the Embassy so they can keep an eye on their partners. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went from $79k to $161k in 5 years in govt. I took a cut to get my foot in the door. It might be worth it!

I also went up about $80k in around 5 years, but impression is that such a rapid increase is unusual.

Yes, one of my big questions is how realistic it is to rapidly advance in the up or out system. Would only feel worth it if I were able to make 14 equivalent within 5 years max. It at least seems possible in contrast to the rest of the federal government where you seem to need disabled veterans preference to get anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to sit down with your partner and discuss this. I have seen far too many FS or other agency trailing spouses end up embittered and resentful for their careers stalling. The government does not owe your partner a job, contrary to what many spouses think. Not all telework setups function properly for trailing spouses. Your partner might only be able to secure an administrative job at the embassy. Nurses and teachers always seem to do okay IME.
Then again, many spouses like working at the Embassy so they can keep an eye on their partners. Seriously.

Thanks, really appreciate that. My partner would be qualified for a lot of implementing development jobs at places like Chemonics (she does similar work but domestically focused), but that would be very dependent on timing and which country I got placed in. Zero interest in forcing my partner's career to stall out. I'm quite invested in both of our success.

[Anonymous]

NO!

[Anonymous]

I understand the impulse to be in govt rather than sucking off it, but wow, that pay is AWFUL.

[Anonymous]

NO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Negotiate. This is an offer.

OP should try and she may get a bit more, but there isn’t usually a whole lot of room with government offers.

I negotiated and got 20k more...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Negotiate. This is an offer.

OP should try and she may get a bit more, but there isn’t usually a whole lot of room with government offers.

I negotiated and got 20k more...

same! i was able to submit an offer i got and they matched it. I recognize that is rare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Negotiate. This is an offer.

OP should try and she may get a bit more, but there isn’t usually a whole lot of room with government offers.

I negotiated and got 20k more...

same! i was able to submit an offer i got and they matched it. I recognize that is rare.

OP here, the agency's HR informed me they would do no negotiation and have decided not to follow their own written guidance because of "equity." Therefore everybody will be offered same amount regardless of earning history.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:F&ck the foreign service. It is not a “dream job” unless you want to be humiliated and sexually harassed.

Curious to hear more on this.

Not the PP but can confirm it’s rampant. The “up or out” competitive promotion system means lower ranked people are terrified to say anything. I saw extreme abuse in the FS.

One of the countries would have foreign service Men give the incoming female FSOs a “score” based on smile, a$$, hair and the fourth criterion was scored after they sleep with you. Had a person ask me if my spouse would be alright with us sharing a bed on TDY. I reported it—even still have the emails—and nothing happened.


THEN HE WAS ON MY PROMOTION BOARD!

Wow. Classic. Sorry, PP.

[Anonymous]

So let's assume you work for a USAID/INL/PRM-type contractor and got into either State or USAID Foreign Service.

FSOs often have to spend very little money out of pocket for day to day life and end up being able to buy real estate investment properties and build significant savings, while counting down to a guaranteed pension. It's a really good deal. That said, they are an entitled bunch who learn how to nickel and dime the government for everything (within regulations).

Your contractor employer may offer similar benefits at first glance, but without the security and pension.

FSOs are a smart bunch in general but within a strictly defined system.

I would join USAID Foreign Service before I'd join State if I weren't sure if I wanted to commit to a whole career. USAID FSOs move up more quickly and get more independent responsibility much earlier than State FSOs. A USAID FSO may be leading an office in his second tour, or would be the deputy for the office. My sense is it takes longer in State -- many are reporting officers for several tours.

At State, of course you'd have to do a Consular tour adjudicating visas for a couple years -- fine if you're in it long term, but I bummer if you want to try out Foreign Service for a tour first.

Your spouse will be unemployed for stretches unless she's experienced and flexible enough to be put on proposals and project launches, etc. But she'd also be unemployed if OP started doing overseas tours with a contractor.

FS is relatively lucrative (for a middle class job) and you could always commit to five years and it probably won't hurt your chances of going back to contractor work (especially if you go into USAID FS).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is not a pay cut, that is an insult. Is there any way you would be promoted in the gov job? It would be a no for me.

I took a 60k pay cut to join as an attorney in an agency (federal job). I was late 30s then. The gap between the private sector and the government can be large for some sectors, some jobs. It is what it is. 6 years later, I'm still earning 40k lower than when I left my job. Again, it's a tradeoff some are willing to take. For me, it's the guarantee that I can work another 25 years, well into my mid 60s, without worrying about job security and also the 40 hours with no sudden evening and weekend work that makes it easier for me to be available to my two young kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went from $79k to $161k in 5 years in govt. I took a cut to get my foot in the door. It might be worth it!

I also went up about $80k in around 5 years, but impression is that such a rapid increase is unusual.

Both cases above are exceptions. Study the GS pay scale. We go up only 1 step each year. After a while, we go up 1 step only every 2 years.

This resulted in me going up about $25k in 5 years. With an advanced degree.