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Would this be a bad move (career related)


spjunkies

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Right now I'm in a career ladder position that goes up to a GS12 I'm currently a 12, but I'm honestly not happy there at all because let's just say that I have to work with some ummm strong personalities. I have been working here for a year and every day I come home miserable.

 

I have just applied for another position with another agency that is located downtown where I would prefer to be since I currently work in MD. I'm over qualified for this position so I will most likely get it, but the catch is it only goes up to a high 9 and it's a 4 year term appointment.

 

I know that ultimately this is a personal decision, but do you guys think a move like this would be ignorant or would you follow your heart to find happiness? :(

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I think the first question is how unhappy are you at present, what are the other options, and what is your balance between need and want?

 

There's nothing wrong with taking less money or a step back if it gets you where you want to be. It sounds a little dead end which makes me hesitate. A  four year commitment is a long time, esp. three down. Can you hold on a bit longer until something better opens up?

 

I'm hearing more about what you need to get away from then what you might be gearing towards. That makes me worry for you.

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I think the first question is how unhappy are you at present, what are the other options, and what is your balance between need and want?

 

There's nothing wrong with taking less money or a step back if it gets you where you want to be. It sounds a little dead end which makes me hesitate. A  four year commitment is a long time, esp. three down. Can you hold on a bit longer until something better opens up?

 

I'm hearing more about what you need to get away from then what you might be gearing towards. That makes me worry for you.

 

Right now I don't have any family commitments or anything it's just that the current department that I work for is run sloppy and quite frankly they don't appreciate hard work that is provided to them. My co-worker (likely soon to be supervisor) talks **** about everyone, including me lol. I'm just ready for a change in environment. I know the grass isn't always green on the other side, but a guy can only take so much.

I have never worked for the government so I have no idea what GS 9 GS 12 and whatever have as far as impact on long term pay and **** like that.

How old are you junkies?

 

Over the long-term it will = to about a $20k per year pay difference but it takes a long time to reach that differential.

 

I'm 33

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Are you foreseeing yourself being a lifelong gov't employee? In a dream world, where do you ultimately want to end up?

 

That's a beautiful question that I do not have the answer to. I'm not too impressed with the gov but they pay me so I show up.

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Nothing wrong with that. I'm 37 this month, so I'm slightly ahead of you in years, but I'm just getting back on the career track after making more family-first type choices for the past 7 years. Point being is that it's okay to buy some time. I'm just starting to put stuff together to get my MBA starting next fall. 

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At this point in your life you really need to be thinking about setting yourself up. By the time you hit 40, your appeal to potential employers will start diminishing. Use this time now to establish yourself, make yourself attractive to potential employers and give yourself options for the future because before you know it you'll be thinking about retirement.

I think that the rest of your life is determined largely by how you conduct yourself in your 30's.

Find out what you want and achieve that goal.

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I'd definitely not take a 9, even with it being a high 9, after being a 12. Might hurt you down the road when applying to other jobs

Ive been working in federal govt offices for the last 13 years and most 4-year terms I've seen almost ALWAYS get renewed. But the 12 to 9 isn't worth it, IMO.

Sucks that you work with annoying people, but I'd personally hang in there until you can find a lateral move

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Thats an enormous pay cut. It is unlikely the Federal government would let you make a move like that.

 

The funny thing is it's not actually a cut. Presently I'm a GS9 step 1 which = $52k per year, but im pretty much guaranteed to get to $76k within the next 3 years. This job that I'm applying for would actually be a raise for the next 2 years but it's capped.

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If you don't like what you are doing and already looking, cast a wider net. Don't just accept the (possibly) better job, go find the best job you can get.

Good advice here.  Nothing wrong with leaving a place you don't like, just make it a step up not down. 

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Ok i am a fed employee too.  I find it shocking that you can't find another GG-12 job in your agency.  I just changed to another position at my job and i think it will help get my 13.  I also find it shocking that you can't find a GG13 job that you might be interested in.  Hit me up because i am a Fed in MD. 

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Ok i am a fed employee too.  I find it shocking that you can't find another GG-12 job in your agency.  I just changed to another position at my job and i think it will help get my 13.  I also find it shocking that you can't find a GG13 job that you might be interested in.  Hit me up because i am a Fed in MD. 

 

The problem that I have is the field I'm in is very specified and doesn't translate well to other fields. Unfortunately I don't have the education credentials to fall back on so it's tough for me to qualify for other gov positions.

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The problem that I have is the field I'm in is very specified and doesn't translate well to other fields. Unfortunately I don't have the education credentials to fall back on so it's tough for me to qualify for other gov positions.

 

Your skills might not translate but do you want to do the same thing?  There are high school graduates at my agency who are DISES and DISLs.  No one looks at education once you are in

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Your skills might not translate but do you want to do the same thing?  There are high school graduates at my agency who are DISES and DISLs.  No one looks at education once you are in

 

You're definitely convincing me to expand my search field. It just gets frustrating browsing USAJOBS and saying "nope, don't qualify for that" lol.

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The problem that I have is the field I'm in is very specified and doesn't translate well to other fields. Unfortunately I don't have the education credentials to fall back on so it's tough for me to qualify for other gov positions.

I was unaware that government jobs required "credentials" or "qualifications."

:)

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You're definitely convincing me to expand my search field. It just gets frustrating browsing USAJOBS and saying "nope, don't qualify for that" lol.

 

ok which agency do you work for? if you want to PM me, i would be glad to help.  have you checked to apply to jobs internally?  Do you have a mentor at your work?  The way i got my current job was that they were a customer i was supporting and they wanted me to come over.  

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The funny thing is it's not actually a cut. Presently I'm a GS9 step 1 which = $52k per year, but im pretty much guaranteed to get to $76k within the next 3 years. This job that I'm applying for would actually be a raise for the next 2 years but it's capped.

Sorry, I misread your post. I thought you WERE a GS12 and wanted to move to a 9. My bad.

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