Job worries
So I'm in my mid 40's, have a wife and three kids. I was previously in commercial real estate sales and leasing until the recession of 2008 hit, I decided to go back to school at night and get an accounting degree and MBA. After a few different accounting jobs in public accounting and a business, I decided to have a State accounting job for the benefits, security, and work life balance.
Fast forward now. I'm currently on the State register for an Accounting Manager position, but not "reachable", who knows when I'll be "reachable", only when the Personell Dept magically deams me to be
I recently took a lateral transfer with an agency that was under turmoil with the knowledge that it was going to be a mess, but if I put in the work, I was told I could be promoted to a manager level within the agency, even though I'm not "reachable". I've been putting in 50-55 at my State job for the last 6 months and put on 25 lbs. The CFO who told me I could be promoted resigned. I'm now being told by the new CFO that I cannot in fact be promoted from within (the previous CFO was either lying or incorrect). However the new CFO does want to promote me because she sees my value. My promotion was turned down by HR, my CFO is now going to meet personally with State Personnel, and if that doesn't work she's going to get our Director involved
If none of this works out I'll become disillusioned and feel that I've topped out at my career. My pay scale tops out at @ $85,000; after that I can only expect a 3% COLA annually. My wife makes about $15,000 a year working 30 hours a week. I guess she could go full time at some point when the kids are older, but not now.
Accounting Managers at the State top out at $110,000. We've been living pay check to pay check basically ever since we've had kids. I bust my *** to try to better our position only to be to no. This ever happen to anyone, should I just be thankful I have a job and shut up about it. Seemingly we make enough to get by, but with inflation we are feeling the squeeze
@stonejackballer
many go through with the same scenario in both private and public work.... it is frustrating to work your butt off just to have a person who dangled a promotion move on and now you find yourself at square one.....
while having a decent job is something to be thankful for you should be ticked and talk about it to motivate yourself and realize your worth...... anyone who thinks you should be happy and shut it has a screw loose.
It's so tiring living pay check to pay check. I feel like we'll be this the rest of our life. I know we aren't in a unique situation, as alot of families struggle financially, but it still seems like we are the only ones in our friend group. We've tried to cut expenses as much as we can (cancel streaming, gym membership, hardly ever eat out,..), but it doesn't seem to be enough. I really need a promotion, but if it doesn't happen I don't know what I'll do.
@stonejackballer
Have you researched other positions in private sector? Not sure if same elsewhere but my son has done very well in last few years in property management and leasing in a big market.... was clearing 120 a year at 23.
you have a lot of skills and when applied to different industry / focus maybe they pay more ..... i would want to know what being "reachable" means and how that has effected your previous promotion opportunities
"Reachable" means that while I'm currently on the Accounting Manager register, I'm not in a high enough percentile. If you are reachable, it means that when an State agency pulls the register your name will show up as an option for a vacant position, and you are allowed to interview. Basically I have to wait my turn before I'm even allowed to interview for a job which burns me up because I know I'm probably more qualified than the majority of people on the register. I'll probably be stuck on the register another four years until I'm reachable, I have feeling the overriding factor to determine if you are reachable is years of service. The entire grading process is a mystery and not at all transparent.
@stonejackballer
that sucks ....................... length of service while commendable is not the measure of competence.... i had a job with many whom was a miracle they found their way to and from work let alone making a real contribution but as length of service.... they were revered.
I hear you as some like the public sector for benefits etc you are in a unfortunate situation of waiting for the reachable designation or finding a side gig.
I have a side gig of keeping the books for a neighborhood HOA, it brings in $325 and I also Uber sometimes. I misstated in the post earlier, my wife currently works 20 hrs but is going to start doing 30 a week in January, so that will help some. I'm a very risk adverse person, and the security of a government job comforts me to some extent. On the other hand, my current job is bringing me nothing but stress. I'm on generic Lexapro and that helps me from going over the deep end. I might not be able to interview for a manager position until I'm in my late 40s. I would be worried about ageism, but with the way State employment is currently, I think they'll hire anyone who is the most qualified regardless of age, the talent pool is about as shallow as it's ever been
I live in a smaller city in Alabama so the COL is lower than in other areas, but opportunities are limited. At 44, I really don't want to leave government work or change jobs again. I've had so many jobs and have had to continuously keep learning new stuff, I'm just tired at this point. I want to be settled somewhere
@stonejackballer
Hey there!
Firstly, to have three kids, be married, go back to school and graduate with an MBA is awesome!
You should be really proud of your achievements. You really really work hard for it!
I would suggest, maybe a few Google searches, maybe write up a little jot page with where you are at and where you want to be both financially and mentally. Like a goal sheet!
Making a road map to success would definitely clear out your thoughts and might just help the anxiety. You look like a guy who gets the task done!
If you need more help or just need a chat, I'm a short message away!
Hey there!
Firstly, to have three kids, be married, go back to school and graduate with an MBA is awesome!
You should be really proud of your achievements. You really really work hard for it!
I would suggest, maybe a few Google searches, maybe write up a little jot page with where you are at and where you want to be both financially and mentally. Like a goal sheet!
Making a road map to success would definitely clear out your thoughts and might just help the anxiety. You look like a guy who gets the task done!
If you need more help or just need a chat, I'm a short message away!
Hey there!
Firstly, to have three kids, be married, go back to school and graduate with an MBA is awesome!
You should be really proud of your achievements. You really really work hard for it!
I would suggest, maybe a few Google searches, maybe write up a little jot page with where you are at and where you want to be both financially and mentally. Like a goal sheet!
Making a road map to success would definitely clear out your thoughts and might just help the anxiety. You look like a guy who gets the task done!
If you need more help or just need a chat, I'm a short message away!
