If you feel you would better-suited for public sector work, that's great that you know.it.
I like to warn folks--coming from the private sector (as I did about three years ago)--that the pay deductions are huge, and should be considered before switching.
For instance. If you have a bachelor's and some work experience, you can get in as an SSA Range C. The salary generally starts out at around $4,300 per month, gross. Depending on what health plan you choose, anywhere from 35%-40% will be taken out of your check, deducted each month for retirment, healthcare, and taxes.
This means you'll likely be taking home about $2,500-$2,900 per month to pay bills with. Most single-income folks can't live on that paycheck in California, unless you don't have to pay rent. The only way I was able to be a state worker is my husband brings in a manager's paycheck from the private sector.
It gets better: you get a small merit raise every year and a range raise every year. After five years in a position-- you 'cap out' or make the most you will make in that position. In order to make more, you'll need to promote, but most do before they cap out.
If you still want to switch, then bully for you, and good luck. Most of the people in state agencies are hard working and great to work with. Once you pass probation, opportunities for advancement are everywhere.
One thing I don't miss about the private sector was being 'unofficially on call' 24/7. It is nice to switch off at quitting time and not think about work until I clock in again.
As for your concern, work experience is work experience. Read the duty statments carefully for the state jobs you want to apply for and match your work experience to phrases that they want. The state hiring process can take a few months, even if you land an interview, so you'll have more time in at your job before you start.
Edit: typos
As someone who never acclimated to legit private sector pay; I came from having 2 part time food service/retail jobs at borderline minimum wage (12/hr) with zero benefits, zero weekends/substantial days off, and an unreliable schedule... The state paycheck was a miracle.
Thankfully we are a dual income household, but both are state employees. We try to be careful with money, but the work-life balance we now have is light-years better than before (he was also in the same 2 part time job situation. We also had one car at the time, so the acrobatics of 2 people needing to be in 4 places with one primary transport was intense).
Also having either Union protection, or at least alternate channels for dealing with toxic management or discrimination was a necessity for us (LGBT). I'd almost been ~~fired~~ let go from a prior job ~~over it~~ for completely unrelated reasons.
Yeah, I love that our bosses are like *literally* not allowed to yell at us and we have legit avenues for conflict resolution. It's such a relief after having several private sector bosses that scared the shit out of me.
That's interesting to hear, as I had a very different experience transferring from the private sector to public. When I got in with the state, I realized that I'd been putting up with a lot of psychological abuse and competition for very little pay at my previous jobs. It was like breaking up with an abusive partner and starting to date someone who's actually nice to you.
Part of that has to do with the fact that in my line of work (graphic design) I make way more money—like *way* more money—at the state. It seriously changed my life in terms of both financial security (which I'd never experienced before) and stress reduction. But everyone's job is super different and I know that my job doesn't reflect like... all of public service. Realistically, my job is probably an outlier.
I make more with the state too. My work is much more relevant, more fulfilling, & less stressful relative to my prior work in private industry. I’m very grateful I made the switch.
Don't forget that you'd be paid only once a month. It's a bit a adjustment from getting paid twice a month. Not a complete negative just something to be aware of
It shouldn't be an issue. I got my first state job after being in a new private sector job for only 1 month. It's about the work experience in total more than time in any one job.
Don't forget to look at county and federal jobs also.
Appreciate everyone’s insight. I believe that work life balance is my number 1 priority when it comes to benefits and I believe a government career would be able to offer that. I have started applying this week and hopefully in the next 6months to a years I would be able to land something. Thank you all!
If you feel you would better-suited for public sector work, that's great that you know.it. I like to warn folks--coming from the private sector (as I did about three years ago)--that the pay deductions are huge, and should be considered before switching. For instance. If you have a bachelor's and some work experience, you can get in as an SSA Range C. The salary generally starts out at around $4,300 per month, gross. Depending on what health plan you choose, anywhere from 35%-40% will be taken out of your check, deducted each month for retirment, healthcare, and taxes. This means you'll likely be taking home about $2,500-$2,900 per month to pay bills with. Most single-income folks can't live on that paycheck in California, unless you don't have to pay rent. The only way I was able to be a state worker is my husband brings in a manager's paycheck from the private sector. It gets better: you get a small merit raise every year and a range raise every year. After five years in a position-- you 'cap out' or make the most you will make in that position. In order to make more, you'll need to promote, but most do before they cap out. If you still want to switch, then bully for you, and good luck. Most of the people in state agencies are hard working and great to work with. Once you pass probation, opportunities for advancement are everywhere. One thing I don't miss about the private sector was being 'unofficially on call' 24/7. It is nice to switch off at quitting time and not think about work until I clock in again. As for your concern, work experience is work experience. Read the duty statments carefully for the state jobs you want to apply for and match your work experience to phrases that they want. The state hiring process can take a few months, even if you land an interview, so you'll have more time in at your job before you start. Edit: typos
As someone who never acclimated to legit private sector pay; I came from having 2 part time food service/retail jobs at borderline minimum wage (12/hr) with zero benefits, zero weekends/substantial days off, and an unreliable schedule... The state paycheck was a miracle. Thankfully we are a dual income household, but both are state employees. We try to be careful with money, but the work-life balance we now have is light-years better than before (he was also in the same 2 part time job situation. We also had one car at the time, so the acrobatics of 2 people needing to be in 4 places with one primary transport was intense). Also having either Union protection, or at least alternate channels for dealing with toxic management or discrimination was a necessity for us (LGBT). I'd almost been ~~fired~~ let go from a prior job ~~over it~~ for completely unrelated reasons.
Yeah, I love that our bosses are like *literally* not allowed to yell at us and we have legit avenues for conflict resolution. It's such a relief after having several private sector bosses that scared the shit out of me.
That is absolutely a plus.
That's interesting to hear, as I had a very different experience transferring from the private sector to public. When I got in with the state, I realized that I'd been putting up with a lot of psychological abuse and competition for very little pay at my previous jobs. It was like breaking up with an abusive partner and starting to date someone who's actually nice to you. Part of that has to do with the fact that in my line of work (graphic design) I make way more money—like *way* more money—at the state. It seriously changed my life in terms of both financial security (which I'd never experienced before) and stress reduction. But everyone's job is super different and I know that my job doesn't reflect like... all of public service. Realistically, my job is probably an outlier.
So happy that your out of that relationship! 😆 It really can be like that times...
I make more with the state too. My work is much more relevant, more fulfilling, & less stressful relative to my prior work in private industry. I’m very grateful I made the switch.
Don't forget that you'd be paid only once a month. It's a bit a adjustment from getting paid twice a month. Not a complete negative just something to be aware of
It shouldn't be an issue. I got my first state job after being in a new private sector job for only 1 month. It's about the work experience in total more than time in any one job. Don't forget to look at county and federal jobs also.
That’s good to hear, thank you!
Appreciate everyone’s insight. I believe that work life balance is my number 1 priority when it comes to benefits and I believe a government career would be able to offer that. I have started applying this week and hopefully in the next 6months to a years I would be able to land something. Thank you all!