After a lot of applying, I got reached out to by IBM Federal for a full stack position, fully remote, that pays about $50k, and would get a secret clearance. I currently make $60k at a WITCH, but would IBM on my resume and a secret clearance be worth it for my next job? I have basically gotten nowhere with any other jobs or opportunities.
Not a great offer but, if you are confident in your abilities I know there are some jobs at AWS and Microsoft that require a secret clearance and having one is a huge plus. As long as your technical ability is there as well, taking this IBM offer staying a year or two and hopping to another position might be worth it in the long run.
Would you guess that since a clearance is a bit of a filter, they hire for those positions less strictly? Or still just as hard to land it?
A secret level clearance is a huge filter. It costs thousands of dollars and takes a few months to get one. Also you have to be an a US citizen for clearance and you won’t be competing with any H1-Bs. Since the candidate pool is much smaller I would say the position is probably much more flexible. You can’t be incompetent—it’s not a free pass but it’s certainly worth something.
Holy 💩. I’ve never seen an offer this low. What did you tell them when they asked for expected TC?
It's a federal contract gig, so I guess the money is just really not there. I told them I'd really like at least 60 at the outset, but interviewed anyway and they made the verbal offer. I could get $52k but they said I wouldn't be accruing PTO.
Should have asked for $150K at the outset minimum. When you say “full stack”, you mean web development right? No one will take you seriously if you ask for less than 100K.
It’s really bad OP, our warehouse workers make more money, plenty of blue collar workers make double that.
Yeah, I know it's bad, I only have a math degree and just don't pass any filters even with referrals as far as I've tried.
Don’t take a pay cut.
No it is not a good offer