Should I take this job?

[Hardhats]

I work in civil service on £45k, in a juicy/desirable role on CV in terms of responsibility/visibility. Pros being secure employment. Cons being the team is seriously bad. Think grievances, employment tribunals, extremely horrendous culture. It’s one of those roles where it has brilliant potential and the actual work is doable… but the job can never be done due to the poor culture involved. Plus although hybrid, I have to travel nationwide very regularly. Each week, could be a different site including the middle of nowhere.

Last week, I interviewed & secured a job with my local authority, it’s a contracting role and equivalent salary of £57k.

Cons - The job is a slight step back in terms of visibility, I wouldn’t be working nationally and not central government anymore.

Pros- it’s more technical (more maths/coding/data analytics vs HR issues), whilst the rest of responsibilities are the same in terms of management responsibilities. Hybrid working pattern, office is in my local city centre.

Ideally, my dream job is to move into a tech company working within data analytics or data science in the future, so I guess I’m conscious of how they may perceive this sort of sideways move.

This will also be my first contracting experience. The contract is for one year. My thought process was use this job as a stepping stone to the dream job but not sure if I’m being silly to give up secure employment.

Did you know you can go back to the civil service within 5 yrs without having to go through the fair & open competition recruitment again?

doesn’t sound like your current job is right for you - but what are the prospects of you finding another job in a year’s time & how critical is that?

I wouldn’t stay in the current role if you have other options op it sounds horrible x

Oh gosh, I didn’t realise how long my OP was! Sorry everyone.

Go for it!

I didn’t know that, thank you. Tbh…I’d rather not be linked to my current management chain so I’d be happier to reapply as an external candidate.

I’ve only properly job searched for a month and had 3 interviews. One was with a big tech company, 1 public sector (that I mentioned in my OP) and a 3rd sector role. The 3rd sector role was a £1k pay rise so didn’t think it was worth the jump. The big tech role might be better paid, but they haven’t divulged salary yet. I guess I’m not sure whether to hold out for that (multiple interview stages) or just jump ship now. I think with the pay rise from the contracting role, I could save a buffer if I am left between roles.

thank you for all the advice x

I've done similar moves and never looked back. You only live once and a couple of extra days holiday doesn't compensate if you're not happy at work.

In your situation I’d probably apply for other civil service roles before trying contracting, unless I already had in-demand skills making contracting lower risk and/or thought the contracting role(s) would help towards the goal of moving to the private sector.

If your ultimate goal is to work for a tech company I’d continue with those interviews, whatever you decide about the local authority contract.

I don’t think recruiting managers considering an internal job application would associate an applicant with their current management chain, and anyway there are lots of departments who won’t even be aware of problems elsewhere.

I don’t think it’s the case that you can return to CS after leaving, without applying for externally advertised vacancies, but it’d be easy to check those terms.

@Civilservant thanks!

I’m not really interested in other civil service roles I suppose. I work for one of the higher paid departments already - I find the civil service isn’t competitive on pay for my industry and that’s without considering the poor culture!

I seem to have in demand digital/tech skills - maths/computer science degree and background in data science. However in CS, I was promoted into a senior data manager ie not technical. I did have a Grade 7 interview recently, but I feel my technical skills would become rusty/obsolete if I stay, as the next step up is more leadership based.

The local authority role is a bit random I suppose as I was looking to leave government entirely, but it will help me showcase more of my technical skills, whilst still having the seniority in terms of management.

Ahh thank you. I’m glad things worked out for you, very inspiring

I would take it.

Thanks everyone! I am leaning towards taking it.

I left a permanent role for a one year contract, and already there is signs of the contract being extended and other work being available. I left for similar reasons, poor work culture and very little chance of progression where I was. I didn’t get a pay rise But I cut my committing time in half and Dropped a big part of the job that I really hated. It really was the best thing I’ve ever done, and I would never go back now

Oh wow, I'd get away from that then. Take the payrise and run

Thanks for sharing your story, sounds very worthwhile.

I do think there is good prospects of being kept on longer but I think I’ll use this contract as an opportunity to move to private sector afterwards.

thank you! Yes, current job is definitely an environment where I need to leave.