Just a warning -- I wouldn't assume that the pay cut will be "a short term issue only". As I'm sure you are aware, salaries have been frozen and aren't likely to move significantly any time soon. And automatic step increases are NOT guaranteed, and in my agency we have been told that they are to be the exception rather than the rule.

Get it in writing and at my agency they would hire at a step level to match/just below the current salary in many cases, not all.

What GS level are you talking about?

There will be a lot of pressure to cap promotions from here forward as budget pressures increase. In my agency and I think throughout govt. it's going to be harder as an attorney, for ex., to get a GS-15 unless you're a supervisor. That slipped a lot in the past 10-15 yrs but it's tightening up very very fast.

I agree to wait until you have it in writing, though I think you know this. The pay cut will likely be a short term issue only, but make sure you're still comfortable with whatever salary you negotiate.

verbal offers mean nothing, I was given and accepted a verbal offer at HRSA/MCHB 2 years ago, it led no where, get something/offer in writing.

I would pay more attention to the promotion potential of the job then the step for this year. If you are hired as a 12 is a 13 competitive or will you get it after 1 year assuming acceptable performance. That will have much more affect on your future earnings.. That said why not try to negotiate you have nothing to lose!

Take the government job. If you plan to stay there a while, your short stint at your current job won't matter. And yes, negotiate based on current salary, experience, and education.

You should compare the total comps package of your current job with what the gov is offering. Your salary may be lower, but you may get more days off or get a better match towards retirement.

I don't have any experience negotiating, but I moved pretty quickly up the GS scale in the 10 years I've been at my agency.

I received a verbal offer from the government today after interviewing with them almost three months ago. The offer is at the step 1 of the GS-level and was told that I could negotiate to a higher step given that my current and previous salary is much higher. I have started a new job with a private sector a month and half ago. If I take the fed job, I'd be taking a 10% pay cut (even at step 10 of the GS level that I need to negotiate). Is it unprofessional to leave my current job after such a short period? Do you think it's worth negotiating? I'd appreciate your thoughts and sharing your experience.