Fed employee - started new job 4 months ago, just got perfect offer - HELP!

[Anonymous]

I am a Federal employee, which I think does make a difference in this scenario. I started a new job at the end of December - hired by a woman I worked with on a special project that had been trying to get me to work for her for years. My perfect job just popped up - right next to my house, higher pay grade, better work, no furloughs, etc. Doesn't help that I'm not loving this new job (which was probably why I resisted it for so long).

I just got called for an interview. Does anyone have any advice on when and how I should tell my supervisor? Before the interview? Not until after I get the job? Am I completely and totally burning this bridge if I take it? Do I care? Will it look bad on my resume to only be at a job for 5-6 months?

Thanks for any advice. I am really struggling with how to do this "properly."

[Anonymous]

Go to the interview. Don't disclose it to current boss; tell prospective boss you did not disclose (this is normal).

Worry about it when you get the job. Tell current job if you accept, and be gracious and nice and non-bridge-burny about it.

If you get the job and it's still perfect, take it. If you feel compelled 10 years down the road to explain the 4 months position, put in a line in your resume about "Left to pursue a valuable opportunity in XYZ, which allowed me to use my skills in ABC."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to the interview. Don't disclose it to current boss; tell prospective boss you did not disclose (this is normal).

Worry about it when you get the job. Tell current job if you accept, and be gracious and nice and non-bridge-burny about it.

If you get the job and it's still perfect, take it. If you feel compelled 10 years down the road to explain the 4 months position, put in a line in your resume about "Left to pursue a valuable opportunity in XYZ, which allowed me to use my skills in ABC."

+1. Do not disclose until you actually get the job.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PPs. That is my instinct, but at the job before this one, everyone was kind of pissed and acted like that's not the way Feds do it when I didn't disclose until I had actually accepted the offer. I got the impression that Federal employees disclose these things much earlier in the process and that it was rude to the supervisor not to. Really trying to tread lightly on this especially since this woman specifically direct hired me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. That is my instinct, but at the job before this one, everyone was kind of pissed and acted like that's not the way Feds do it when I didn't disclose until I had actually accepted the offer. I got the impression that Federal employees disclose these things much earlier in the process and that it was rude to the supervisor not to. Really trying to tread lightly on this especially since this woman specifically direct hired me.

No. Former fed here. Don't disclose until you get the offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. That is my instinct, but at the job before this one, everyone was kind of pissed and acted like that's not the way Feds do it when I didn't disclose until I had actually accepted the offer. I got the impression that Federal employees disclose these things much earlier in the process and that it was rude to the supervisor not to. Really trying to tread lightly on this especially since this woman specifically direct hired me.

No, I have never heard of some kind of "federal employee" exception. Look, the bottom line is that it is a crappy thing to do but most employers will understand that you are leaving for a dream job. Are the two fields related such that you will have to encounter your current boss again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. That is my instinct, but at the job before this one, everyone was kind of pissed and acted like that's not the way Feds do it when I didn't disclose until I had actually accepted the offer. I got the impression that Federal employees disclose these things much earlier in the process and that it was rude to the supervisor not to. Really trying to tread lightly on this especially since this woman specifically direct hired me.

No, I have never heard of some kind of "federal employee" exception. Look, the bottom line is that it is a crappy thing to do but most employers will understand that you are leaving for a dream job. Are the two fields related such that you will have to encounter your current boss again?

Ok thanks. I guess I'll just have to decide if this job is good enough to do something crappy to this woman, which is basically the bottom line. No, this is an entirely different agency and I don't think I'll run into her again. I hate to have a pissed boss behind me though.

[Anonymous]

It's completely normal, even for a Fed, to not disclose that they are interviewing. If anything, it's more so the case if you're interviewing for a Fed job, because the hiring process can take months and it's very uncertain (funding could change and hiring frozen, et cetera). Most good supervisors understand this. As long as you give appropriate notice if/when you do get the job, it isn't a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. That is my instinct, but at the job before this one, everyone was kind of pissed and acted like that's not the way Feds do it when I didn't disclose until I had actually accepted the offer. I got the impression that Federal employees disclose these things much earlier in the process and that it was rude to the supervisor not to. Really trying to tread lightly on this especially since this woman specifically direct hired me.

No, I have never heard of some kind of "federal employee" exception. Look, the bottom line is that it is a crappy thing to do but most employers will understand that you are leaving for a dream job. Are the two fields related such that you will have to encounter your current boss again?

Ok thanks. I guess I'll just have to decide if this job is good enough to do something crappy to this woman, which is basically the bottom line. No, this is an entirely different agency and I don't think I'll run into her again. I hate to have a pissed boss behind me though.

I was the one who described it as a "crappy thing." I have had this happen to me as an employer. The thing is yes, there is no denying that you will leave this woman somewhat in a lurch. But you know what? It's a dog eat dog world, and you have to look out for yourself and your career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. That is my instinct, but at the job before this one, everyone was kind of pissed and acted like that's not the way Feds do it when I didn't disclose until I had actually accepted the offer. I got the impression that Federal employees disclose these things much earlier in the process and that it was rude to the supervisor not to. Really trying to tread lightly on this especially since this woman specifically direct hired me.

No, I have never heard of some kind of "federal employee" exception. Look, the bottom line is that it is a crappy thing to do but most employers will understand that you are leaving for a dream job. Are the two fields related such that you will have to encounter your current boss again?

Ok thanks. I guess I'll just have to decide if this job is good enough to do something crappy to this woman, which is basically the bottom line. No, this is an entirely different agency and I don't think I'll run into her again. I hate to have a pissed boss behind me though.

I was the one who described it as a "crappy thing." I have had this happen to me as an employer. The thing is yes, there is no denying that you will leave this woman somewhat in a lurch. But you know what? It's a dog eat dog world, and you have to look out for yourself and your career.

Thanks, PP. I agree, and ultimately getting this job will mean a promotion, no furloughs, and not having to buy a second car (the new job is literally right around the corner from me, current one is ages away with no public transportation), which is a significant amount of money. Guess I'll just have to see what happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. That is my instinct, but at the job before this one, everyone was kind of pissed and acted like that's not the way Feds do it when I didn't disclose until I had actually accepted the offer. I got the impression that Federal employees disclose these things much earlier in the process and that it was rude to the supervisor not to. Really trying to tread lightly on this especially since this woman specifically direct hired me.

No, I have never heard of some kind of "federal employee" exception. Look, the bottom line is that it is a crappy thing to do but most employers will understand that you are leaving for a dream job. Are the two fields related such that you will have to encounter your current boss again?

Ok thanks. I guess I'll just have to decide if this job is good enough to do something crappy to this woman, which is basically the bottom line. No, this is an entirely different agency and I don't think I'll run into her again. I hate to have a pissed boss behind me though.

I'm not the PP who wrote that. I don't think you should look at it as doing something "crappy." The bottom line is you actually don't like the job you have now. This is your career and how you spend at least 40 (if not more) hours a week of your life. Just explain to her if/when you get the other job that it's an opportunity you weren't expecting but cannot turn down. Offer a longer notice period (let's say 3 weeks) or something like that. But I wouldn't refuse a good opportunity, given you don't like the job you have. When you accept a job, there's never any promise of forever. If it turned out that she wasn't happy with your performance during the probation period, she would likely fire you, even though she's the one who brought you on. That's how it works, especially early on in a job. There's a reason they call it probationary period, because no one knows for sure that it will be a happy fit.

[Anonymous]

Do NOT feel guilty. This is life. If you get the job, and it really truly seems great for you, go for it. Just be polite and kind and don't look back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. That is my instinct, but at the job before this one, everyone was kind of pissed and acted like that's not the way Feds do it when I didn't disclose until I had actually accepted the offer. I got the impression that Federal employees disclose these things much earlier in the process and that it was rude to the supervisor not to. Really trying to tread lightly on this especially since this woman specifically direct hired me.

No, I have never heard of some kind of "federal employee" exception. Look, the bottom line is that it is a crappy thing to do but most employers will understand that you are leaving for a dream job. Are the two fields related such that you will have to encounter your current boss again?

Ok thanks. I guess I'll just have to decide if this job is good enough to do something crappy to this woman, which is basically the bottom line. No, this is an entirely different agency and I don't think I'll run into her again. I hate to have a pissed boss behind me though.

I was the one who described it as a "crappy thing." I have had this happen to me as an employer. The thing is yes, there is no denying that you willif leave this woman somewhat in a lurch. But you know what? It's a dog eat dog world, and you have to look out for yourself and your career.

Exactly. After all, even in government, your supervisor (or her supervisor) wouldn't hesitate to fire you if it suited the needs of the organization. There is no such thing as loyalty anymore, at least not for employees who haven't been there long-term. If this is your first federal position you have no job security until your probationary period ends. You have to look out for your own interests and do what's right for you. No one's indispensable -- she will get someone else. Get the new job, tell her graciously with a reasonable amount of lead time, and then go on to your dream.

[Anonymous]

Shit, my old boss filed a fake police report which required me to hire a lawyer to threaten her and my old employer if they didnt recant. She was fired for the false accusation. Now *thats* fucking over your boss and burning a bridge. What you are proposing ain't worth even a moths fart of concern.

[Anonymous]

OP - This wouldn't be an issue for a man.