Leaving State Government

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #186856
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I worked in Industry for a year after college, shortly thereafter I decided to go into State Government in Atlanta for the work – life balance. 2.5 years later I’ve moved up, but I’m ready to move back into the corporate world. I’ve been applying but I’m getting no callbacks I have my CPA license and a Master’s Degree. This could be premature as I’ve only been looking for a month but I figured I’d at least have an interview. Any thoughts? ??

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #580763
    LongShot
    Participant

    If you'll ever want to leave state government in your career do it right now before you get pigeon holed as a government employee. You might not get many chances down the road. I worked for the state for 5 yrs (only the last 3 were “professional” positions) and I barely got out a year ago. I even had multiple interviewers telling me I was already on the brink of being “unhirable” for having worked for the state that long, and it was only a couple of years with multiple promotions.

    FAR - 75
    AUD - 72; 87
    REG - 64; 74; 84
    BEC - 88

    Done!!

    #580764
    thedude
    Participant

    I'm in the same boat. I have been with the state government for 10 years and trying to get out. Haven't had success yet.

    Aud: 42 (ouch)

    All others TBD

    #580765
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    🙁 Yeah I'm thinking that if I get into some professional organizations, I may have a chance. I need to get out now!! Thanks for the insight!

    #580766
    Me.
    Participant

    I also work state government (audit) and will be here 3 years in September, I am trying to pass CPA and move on as I feel I am in a very narrow area of audit and will be stuck if I don't move soon. Even though I am a government employee I don't do any governmental audits, my division audits private companys getting government funds.

    REG - 50, 64, 73, 76
    FAR - 67, 65, 67 Ugh!!!
    BEC - 65
    AUD - November 30

    "You just can't beat the person who never gives up." -Babe Ruth

    #580767
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Does getting “unhirable” status only apply to working for state government, or does it apply to federal government as well?

    #580768
    LongShot
    Participant

    I don't think they meant “unhirable” as anything official, more just that they wouldn't do it. Everyone knows the stereotypes about government employees, plus government accounting is very different to begin with. I think they just meant they did want someone with those habits already engrained in them.

    FAR - 75
    AUD - 72; 87
    REG - 64; 74; 84
    BEC - 88

    Done!!

    #580769
    LongShot
    Participant

    And also yes, I imagine it would apply to any level of government. But that's just an assumption on my part. To everyone trying to get out of government, I wish you all the best of luck!!

    FAR - 75
    AUD - 72; 87
    REG - 64; 74; 84
    BEC - 88

    Done!!

    #580770
    ipasscpa
    Participant

    why would you leave government ? I always wanted federal but no luck since past 3 years.

    CPA- VA

    #580771
    taxgeek83
    Participant

    @ipasscpa – In my experience, upward mobility in government maxes out pretty quick. If you're content finding a position and staying there until you retire with a nice pension, government is the way to go. If you're ambitious and always need a new challenge or always want to move up, I would caution against it. It's a great way to get some experience, but more of a means to an end in my opinion.

    Regarding the “unhirable” point someone made – I haven't seen any issues. I get the stigma surrounding government employees, but I will say for the most part that government employees are extremely hard working and definitely earn their paychecks. Because of a few bad apples that always seem to make the news, however, government employees are constantly on the defensive…. :-/

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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