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I was offered a job with a state government. They offered 5% above my current salary. This is not a big increase, and all other factors being equal, it would probably not be worth switching.The big selling point is the pension. You have to work for there for 10 years in order to be vested. Ten years is a long time. Are government pensions really all that secure?
I know people who worked in the private sector who thought they would get a full pension, but did not due to circumstances out of their control.
Also the commute would be much shorter (saving 60 miles per day and approx one hour)
OTOH I would be relocating to a big city, trading a mortgage for apartment rent that is approx $400 more per month. I have never experienced living in a big city. I like to visit, not quite sure if I would like living there. Being used to a small town, perhaps a bigger city would get old after awhile.
Seriously considering this offer but it's not only a job change but lifestyle change. Would like to hear from anyone who have been in a similar situation (either tried government work or relocating). Did it work out for you or did you regret it?
Today with the rampant abuse in the private sector by the employers, the best way to go is government where employee abuse is more limited. The pay is usually less however with less options to move up if you are career oriented.
I guess if you don't mind me pigeonholed into the same position for a long time it isn't horrible. But then again this happens to a lot of people in the private sector as well (myself included). Especially if you are very good at what you do, you will be taken care of but ignored by and large when you show interest for wanting career advancement.
I guess if you don't mind me pigeonholed into the same position for a long time it isn't horrible. But then again this happens to a lot of people in the private sector as well (myself included). Especially if you are very good at what you do, you will be taken care of but ignored by and large when you show interest for wanting career advancement.
That is exactly what has happened with me at my employer. I have been with the same company for over 10 years and have been in the same position the entire time. I am good at what I do and have technical skills others in the group do not have. There have been opportunities to advance but have been denied promotions. The company once had a superb technical guy who had a lot of knowledge. He was promoted to manager and things went downhill as he clashed with his employees and other managers. ..so maybe they don't want to risk having it happen again. Not really sure I want to "advance" and be a manager anyway so perhaps it is for the better.
Yes, going to government is much better and more stable which is important especially when you are over 35 years old. All that bouncing around trying to chase more money is for when you are under 35 years old. Not saying you are not supposed to want more money after 35 but you should want to work at a job that gives you the option to stay there 10 years. And who knows you may want to go to another job after 10 years for a bigger increase which would be fine if that next opportunity offers more money and stability.
I was offered a job with a state government. They offered 5% above my current salary. This is not a big increase, and all other factors being equal, it would probably not be worth switching.The big selling point is the pension. You have to work for there for 10 years in order to be vested. Ten years is a long time. Are government pensions really all that secure?
I know people who worked in the private sector who thought they would get a full pension, but did not due to circumstances out of their control.
Also the commute would be much shorter (saving 60 miles per day and approx one hour)
OTOH I would be relocating to a big city, trading a mortgage for apartment rent that is approx $400 more per month. I have never experienced living in a big city. I like to visit, not quite sure if I would like living there. Being used to a small town, perhaps a bigger city would get old after awhile.
Seriously considering this offer but it's not only a job change but lifestyle change. Would like to hear from anyone who have been in a similar situation (either tried government work or relocating). Did it work out for you or did you regret it?
Let's take gov vs private out of it for a moment and look at these two things. That's a HUGE CoL increase in rent alone and you're paying rent, not growing equity. That 5% starts to look a lot smaller. Add in most likely increased fees and taxes for the city. Then there's a huge lifestyle give up. I was stationed in SF for a few years and hated every minute of it. Give me the mountains. Give me farm country. Trees, land, lakes and rivers. I go in my back yards and walk to the deer, rabbits, birds, and other wildlife. You couldn't pay me enough to live in a city like that again.
Yes, going to government is much better and more stable which is important especially when you are over 35 years old. All that bouncing around trying to chase more money is for when you are under 35 years old. Not saying you are not supposed to want more money after 35 but you should want to work at a job that gives you the option to stay there 10 years. And who knows you may want to go to another job after 10 years for a bigger increase which would be fine if that next opportunity offers more money and stability.
I've been at current job for over 10 years, could have jumped for more money but did not. I guess if I were going to chase money then I should have done it by now.This decision would be easier if I didn't already have a house and it didn't require relocation. As for jumping for more money 10 years from now, I'm not so sure that would be an option. In my field, ageism can be an issue when one reaches their 40s and/or 50s.
Let's take gov vs private out of it for a moment and look at these two things. That's a HUGE CoL increase in rent alone and you're paying rent, not growing equity. That 5% starts to look a lot smaller. Add in most likely increased fees and taxes for the city. Then there's a huge lifestyle give up. I was stationed in SF for a few years and hated every minute of it. Give me the mountains. Give me farm country. Trees, land, lakes and rivers. I go in my back yards and walk to the deer, rabbits, birds, and other wildlife. You couldn't pay me enough to live in a city like that again.
Great points....thanks. The pension is the big draw to this position...but even with the pension, a lot of the gains in the total compensation package is would be swallowed up by the increased cost of living. I didn't even think of the additional taxes/fees.I do enjoy visiting the city sometimes but it's usually for a day or weekend. Would I want to live in one? It might get old after awhile.
You really need to know that you can be content in the new location for at least a year or so.
I've relocated but with Federal you can go anywhere. With State you can only go so far. Still, if you think there's a chance of going somewhere elsewhere and upwards, you might be able to handle a year there, then transfer.
Some states are in better shape than others. I remember working as a Federal Technician with the TN Air Guard and we had a 25/75 funding split on some things. The State paid 25% and the Federal Gov't paid 75%. The State went broke and couldn't pay anything so the 75% that was available became unavailable. That would make me think twice about State, or at least be cautious.
Only problem is. You have a better chance of pissing in the wind and not getting wet than you do landing a Fed Government job today.
You can apply for jobs in the fed until the cows come home. And the majority of those jobs you will be qualified for. You will either:
A. Get a response saying you haven't been selected for an interview
B. Not hear a damn thing period
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