The XMEN Clan Forums

Here is the situation:

I'm going to be moving back to the northwest. I don't know when exactly, but I've silently put my resume out to see what kind of hits I would get.

I am somewhat happy with my job. It's got its ups and downs, and the way the contract is set up, we kind of get screwed. Anyways, I got a hit from silently sending my resume out. It's from a recruiter for a company that I closely work with at work. If I leave federal service, I definitely want to come back down the road. I would stay federal service if I could because of our benefits and the kind of work that we do. This hit from the company recruiter basically is for a job that could be used as a stepping stone for future work in directed energy stuff. However, it's on the same project that I'm currently assigned to. To make a fairly long story short, this company is offering a position that offers a quite large pay increase from what I make now (hiring in at about 35% more), I would have similar benefits, and I would be based back in the northwest.

Sounds good, right? Well, as soon as I make any attempt at applying for this job, the management at this company will know, and they will likely say something to my bosses. That could be interesting in a not fun way.
Also, because I don't yet have 3 years in, my retirement benefits aren't vested. I won't get any of the matched contributions that my employer has made to my retirement plans. Good news is that if I come back, I'll only need a small fraction of that three years.



ANOTHER KINK!

This last Wednesday, I found a federal service job, that's a similar pay grade to what I have now. It's in the northwest, and I would be able to vest my retirement stuff if I took it. The thing is, it involves quite a bit of C++ programming which I haven't done in a professional setting for some time now. I have every single other qualification that you could think of, even the special classes and certifications that they are asking for you to have as part of the job requirements.


I guess my issue is which one should I want to take over the other?

I could get a significant boost in pay, and experience for a career path in directed energy (which is still closely related to spacecraft propulsion). Or I could stay federal, though in a completely different job that requires a skill that I haven't seriously used for quite a while, and where my retirement stuff would vest in another year instead of having to start over and then get it vested in 5 years. Also, the other federal job would require me to do different work that is very interesting and I would probably like, but if I were to stay directed energy-related stuff, I could always come back to the government. I know that's the case because there are several things that are on the horizon or in the brainstorming stage in the labs that will be matured in 5 to 10 years.

I know I sound like I'm making the case for the private company job, but if I stay federal, I also have job security.

I'm not going to recommend one of these options to you but I'll point out some different ways to look at things.

Managment at private company MAY inform your employer. So, what can you do do avoid this? If it can't be avoided, would it be to your advantage to tell your boss you're thinking about moving on? This could mean he'd try to keep you (raise?), or that he'd appreciate the heads up and prepare for a smooth transition, or that he'd get mad and make your life hell or fire you. Depends on the situation and I can't call it from here. One time I gave an employer advance notice and got the "appreciative" response, and stayed an extra two weeks to help the transition.

Next, how much in dollars are the unvested contributions worth? Let's just say 10k for argument's sake. How long, at the increased wages under new employer, would it take to net you another 10k?

So, your C++ is rusty. Big deal. If you did much of it before, you'll pick it back up quickly. You're a bright boy. You just have to convince the interviewer that you can.

Now, you have a point that the directed energy stuff is big. You have an opportunity to become one of the top experts in that field; I know you're not that far off now. Sounds like you can work on that from either your current position or from the private company. So, is becoming a real go-to guy on this subject something you really want, and if it is, where can you best do that?

Gambit is wise in the ways of the workforce: we must all bow to his superior intellect and worship the ground that he hovers over!

Asha: I'm with Gambit on this one, just how badly do you want to be working on Directed Energy? As a geek, I'd say that's where I'd want to be, if for nothing else but the security.

Er, no bowing and worshipping, please. I just hope you find my perspective useful.

Gambino, thanks.

I'm just trying to get other views on this situation. I'm preparing my application for the government job, so that I can get it in before the closing date (this Friday).

I've got to do a bunch of ethics paperwork at the JAG office on base for the other job. And, to be honest, I think I want the private job just a bit more. If they offer the right salary and relocation bonus.

Plus, it requires quite a bit of travel throughout the US. Which means that I'll get per diem, which I know from several people at work can amount to much more than your normal salary.

Oh and SH: I already worship the ground Gambino walks on. Only it happens in Gambit's head. So I don't know if it's Texas, or something else.

It's gotta be Texas.. there's just something... off about them 'ol boys down there...