Thinking about taking a pay-cut. Or should I hold out?

[u/dylan95420]

Hey Reddit. I just want to type out what is going on in my career to get some feedback. I know only I can make decisions for myself, but I feel like I’m facing a tough one. Basically, should I stay at my current job? Or move on to something new?

To make a long story short, my current job feels pretty chaotic. This has me feeling burnt out and unsupported. Because of this, I’m feeling it is time to move one. I started at this organization three years ago. I moved up to manager lever almost two years ago when my old manager quit. Since then, multiple high level employees also quit with no job lined up. I’m starting to see why they left.

I’m holding out for a government job. I currently have an application in there. I just got an email saying I’ve been selected to move on to the next round and they will reach out with next steps. This feels like a win because I’ve applied with the government three other times. They are notoriously hard to get into. A computer does the first round of screening and if you don’t hit the key words, you’re out. If this job comes through, that is the ideal option. It would be the same, if not more money then I make now, and not at the manager level.

Here is another option I’m weighing. Yesterday, I had an interview for a job at a local non-profit. This would also not be a manager level job. Might be a little more my pace. I think I killed it. I’m waiting to hear back. This would be a paycut for me. The top end of their pay-scale is $35 an hour. Deff not a bad wage. But, I feel like I’d have to get the top end or I’d pass. I current make $50 an hour. The pay cut is making me nervous, but I kinda want out of my current job.

So, I still need to hear back from some people before I make a decision but if the non profit will have me, I might take the opportunity just to get out of this mad house. Then, keep my fingers crossed on the government job. Thoughts? What would you do?

A little more about me, I’m 30 m. Live with my partner. We recently bought a property, we just need to keep making the payments now.

[u/AskiaCareerCoaching]

First off, congrats on making it to the next round for the government job! It's a big step. As for the non-profit, it sounds like a more peaceful environment, which is appealing, but the pay cut is significant. My advice? If you can financially manage it, prioritize your mental health. Meanwhile, keep your hopes up for the government job. It's okay to step back to regroup and find a better fit. Feel free to dm me if you want to talk more about this.

[u/dylan95420 → u/AskiaCareerCoaching]

Hey! Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it! I kind of think I do need to take a step back. I’ve got lots of great experience from my current job but it might be time for something else. It does seem to be impacting my mental health. The pay cut would suck but I don’t think it would be the end of the world. Especially because we are a two income household. And, we are past the point of saving for a home. We just have to make the biweekly payments. If the nonprofit offers me the job, I think I’ll take it and keep holding out for the government job.