Less money for a government job?

[Anonymous]

A friend referred me to a position with her agency. She works from home 4 days per week and her job is pretty "easy". I applied and made it on the hiring list. She called today to tell me the salary. It's $30k less than my current job. My current job is high stress and will always be that way even if I move to a different othanization.

We just had our 3rd baby and we need every penny for childcare. I still need to interview and get an offer but I'm wondering if I should even bother? Long term I think it would be a great move short term we'd be committing financial sucidice.


Thiughts?

[Anonymous]

It's up to you and your finances. Some people prefer to stay in the high paying job despite the stress. Others realize that they're at a breaking point so if they have to continue they'll likely just quit and stay home -- to them an easy job at 30k less is way better than the 0 salary of SAHM.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you run the numbers through some tax software before you make any decisions. Make sure you look into possible savings on insurance costs, retirement matching, transit subsidies, etc.

Take into account the possibility you may burn out in the next couple years in your current position, and what your contingency plan for that would be. Conversely, how easy would it be for you to go back to private when childcare becomes less of an issue, or would you be permanently pigeonholed?

[Anonymous]

I'd also think long term here because it's not that easy to get a government job. Just read all the threads here about it. You have it in hand now, and you're saying it's better long term. I'd take it.

[Anonymous]

This doesn't necessarily mean it is right for you, but lots of people take a much bigger cut to go gov. Mine was over $100k and that is not unusual to go from big law to gov if you were a reasonably senior associate.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure it's less money? Compare all benefits...time off, insurance, retirement, flex hours. Some agencies even have daycare subsidies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This doesn't necessarily mean it is right for you, but lots of people take a much bigger cut to go gov. Mine was over $100k and that is not unusual to go from big law to gov if you were a reasonably senior associate.

Ditto. And I don't regret it for a second. Cut my salary in half but my hours in half too and I got my life back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This doesn't necessarily mean it is right for you, but lots of people take a much bigger cut to go gov. Mine was over $100k and that is not unusual to go from big law to gov if you were a reasonably senior associate.

Ditto. And I don't regret it for a second. Cut my salary in half but my hours in half too and I got my life back.

Ditto. And it's the best job I've ever had with smart people and interesting work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend referred me to a position with her agency. She works from home 4 days per week and her job is pretty "easy". I applied and made it on the hiring list. She called today to tell me the salary. It's $30k less than my current job. My current job is high stress and will always be that way even if I move to a different othanization.

We just had our 3rd baby and we need every penny for childcare. I still need to interview and get an offer but I'm wondering if I should even bother? Long term I think it would be a great move short term we'd be committing financial sucidice.


Thiughts?

Don't get too excited yet. Making the "hiring list" doesn't mean you will get hired. Usually there are many people on the cert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend referred me to a position with her agency. She works from home 4 days per week and her job is pretty "easy". I applied and made it on the hiring list. She called today to tell me the salary. It's $30k less than my current job. My current job is high stress and will always be that way even if I move to a different organization.

We just had our 3rd baby and we need every penny for childcare. I still need to interview and get an offer but I'm wondering if I should even bother? Long term I think it would be a great move short term we'd be committing financial suicide.


Thoughts?

4 days a week? That is unusual for a fed job, at least from people I know that are in it.

[Anonymous]

The thing that I have found is that, depending on the level you are in government, folks around here really value government experience when it comes to job hunting.

I would crunch the numbers and look at the next 5 years, and see if you can make that work. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This doesn't necessarily mean it is right for you, but lots of people take a much bigger cut to go gov. Mine was over $100k and that is not unusual to go from big law to gov if you were a reasonably senior associate.

Ditto. And I don't regret it for a second. Cut my salary in half but my hours in half too and I got my life back.

Ditto. And it's the best job I've ever had with smart people and interesting work.

Where do you work? I'm at a "selective" agency that's supposedly so hard to get into and the people aren't smart/motivated at all and the work sucks. I spend my day thinking - can I get back to biglaw??

[Anonymous]

I know there are still so many "what ifs" but it's great to get this feedback! If I get a call I'll definitely explore the opportunity! She said she met with someone who oversaw the hiring and talked me up but who knows!! Still a lot of hurdles!

Thank you so much for the feedback!

[Anonymous]

I took a 40% paycut for a govt dig....no regrets. Each situation is different....

[Anonymous]

You may also be able to get them to match your salary, or at least put you in the highest possible grade. Leave is also negotiable. Do some research on these.