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Not contradicting VikingFan, but not all people by a long shot can get hired in government jobs. Even if one keeps applying and keeps taking tests, there are still TONS of people who will never get hired in the public sector even though they keep trying, and that includes for entry level positions.
Of course, not everyone is ever going to be hired any place they want to. But if you're going in with the attitude that you don't have to be very bright or work very hard or be professional because it's a public sector job, no, you're not going to get a job there.
Or even when people are bright, they can screw up their chances just like everywhere else. Last year we were looking to hire someone with a law degree and a background in IT contracts. Got a resume, education and background looked good, they called the woman in for an interview. Shows up in a polo shirt, khakis, striped socks and loafers. This person was going to have to go to meetings with high-level managers and directors, and she comes to the interview looking as if she's going out to play a round of golf? My very professional, old-school boss took one gander at her and said, Uh-uh, not in my office.
So I wonder how many other people who complain that they can't get a public sector job shot themselves in the foot just out of pure stupidity.
I am age appropriate for the retirement forum and when I was young you had to have a relative in any of the public employee unions to stand a chance of getting in.
I am age appropriate for the retirement forum and when I was young you had to have a relative in any of the public employee unions to stand a chance of getting in.
I am age appropriate for the retirement forum and when I was young you had to have a relative in any of the public employee unions to stand a chance of getting in.
Well that may have been true in whatever place you came from, but it is certainly not the case everywhere. I had no relatives in my municipal employer, my husband didn't have any relatives with the state (he wasn't my husband at the time), and I don't know of anyone who got their job in that way. You take a test. How you score on the test determines if you get an interview. I didn't even know there was a union until after I was hired. Just because you believe something, doesn't make it true.
I am age appropriate for the retirement forum and when I was young you had to have a relative in any of the public employee unions to stand a chance of getting in.
I had an "ah-ha" moment when reading your above post. If I recall correctly, you also posted previously that you had tried to get on at a fire department, but relatives had the inside track and you were not successful. So your disappointment turned to bitterness and you ended up hating everything and everyone connected with public sector employment in a massive over-generalization. Very sad.
I had an "ah-ha" moment when reading your above post. If I recall correctly, you also posted previously that you had tried to get on at a fire department, but relatives had the inside track and you were not successful. So your disappointment turned to bitterness and you ended up hating everything and everyone connected with public sector employment in a massive over-generalization. Very sad.
Maybe you're right, because everything this poster says doesn't jibe with my reality.
Although we're talking a small amount of money in my ex's case, a five figure pension per month is truly mind-boggling.
As a Californian, I will say I think our pensions are overly generous, but five figure pensions are not nearly as common as some people on this board say. It's a pretty small percentage getting that much...although a pretty small percentage of people can make the whole system a lot more expensive.
Last edited by mysticaltyger; 06-25-2016 at 07:47 PM..
In many states, the government pays far less than the private sector. The vast majority of jobs done by state employees are pretty low wages as set by the state legislatures. You only hear about the college professors and department heads that can make some pretty decent wages, but most of the folks that do the work make in the $10 - $25/hour wage. Many could earn significantly more in private sector.
Honestly, I think this used to be true, but isn't any more. Most public sector jobs pay as much as their private sector equivalents except at the top and the bottom. The top tends to underpay, the bottom tends to overpay. Then the amazing benefits tacked on top of the salaries. I'm sure there are exceptions as there are people who work part time where I am who either get no benefits or they get benefits like health care and vacation, but no pension. But overall, I don't think the pay is less.
I will weigh in on this. I think that my FERS retirement which will have a factor of 36 years (meaning 36% times the average of my high 3 income years).
I will say that I don't think the general public would be so mad about pensions if this were the typical formula (1% per year of service X number of years and averaging the salary of the highest 3 years).
But many state and local government pensions are more generous. Mine is 2.5% per year of service with ability to retire at 55 maxing out at 75% of final year's salary after 30 years. Averages the highest 1 year (not three), and also has annual COLAs up to 3%. Our local police & firefighters were getting 3% per year, maxing out at 90% and were able to retire at 50 before the pension reform went through.
The new hires don't get the above deal, but it is going to take a long time for those of us who are grandfathered in to die off.
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