Need a pep talk please

[Anonymous]

I posted in the jobs forum earlier bus basically I was offered a salary in error and accepted a job. Now it turns out I will be earning 18k less than I thought. It's not my dream job at all, and it's going to be a huge transition for us bc I've been SAH for 2 years. I thought it was worth the money when I accepted it. It's a fed position, and I'm afraid there will be a hiring freeze, so it's stupid to throw away the opportunity. Anyway, I just feel really lousy because at the initial salary, I felt like this crappy job would be worth the time away from my child and the stress of two WOH parents and a job I don't really like. But at the new salary, I feel like it's not even going to get us ahead, we will just be treading water.

[Anonymous]

How did they offer you a salary in error? What was the explanation? What grade is the job, and is it a career ladder job? (In other words, a job with promotion potential built in, such as a GS 12/13.)

If you can't negotiate a salary closer to the one offered to you in error, you should still take heart that getting your foot in the door is huge, and there are possibilities for upward mobility once you are in the government. You won't be stuck forever at that salary if you are good at your job.

[Anonymous]

You could always try it for six months. If you don't see the potential for promotion and salary increase or if you just don't like it, quit. You don't have to think of this as a permanent position. Also, there is some truth to it being easier to find a job when you already have one.

[Anonymous]

See it as a stepping stone, OP.

I would be thrilled to find a half-decent job at any price, just to get my resume going again.

[Anonymous]

this is a tough situation to be in... you weren't thrilled about it to begin with. Can you afford staying at home until you find something that's closer to ideal? also, 18k is substantial.... it depends what percentage of pay that is. If you were expecting $50,000 and will instead make $32,000, I would say deal breaker. But if the difference is between 150k and 132k, I think that's less of a deal breaker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did they offer you a salary in error? What was the explanation? What grade is the job, and is it a career ladder job? (In other words, a job with promotion potential built in, such as a GS 12/13.)

If you can't negotiate a salary closer to the one offered to you in error, you should still take heart that getting your foot in the door is huge, and there are possibilities for upward mobility once you are in the government. You won't be stuck forever at that salary if you are good at your job.

My DH joined the federal government in 2009 and his salary was essentially flat for 6 years until he left his agency. It had nothing to do with being good at his job.

[Anonymous]

Mine was $16k less than stated when I went to sign the paperwork at HR. No recourse, but to walk away. Like you, I didn't.

Sucked. Did well, in the process of moving on by leveraging my successes there. Still sucks because nobody took responsibility for the bait-and-switch. Since it wasn't fed, there's no GS level to fall back on (or work towards).

You're getting less than you thought, but the other benefits (of entering the job market etc) are still in place. Take comfort in that and look ahead to the long term benefits of starting your career trajectory now.

Like you, I was a SAHM for a couple of years prior to taking on that position. You've read the threads about how much harder it is getting in 5 or more years later. You're still ahead by getting in now.

At least that's what I tell myself...