Public sector to private sector. Would you?

[gaelicsheep]

I have an interview for my dream job - hooray! But I have nagging doubts in my mind - the same ones that have kept me in the public sector dealing with crappy politics, lack of progression and generally being taken advantage of for years. Because it's still more secure than the private sector isn't it? And then there's the pension to consider - while not gold plated is certainly a better deal than I could get in a private pension scheme for anything like similar contributions.

But then there's the promise of occasional pay rises, maybe a bonus, overtime pay etc. And no more fawning to jumped up councillors, dealing with useless government agencies, maybe I would actually get to do the job I enjoy doing with appropriate resources and support.

So, if you were me would you jump ship given the chance?

PS It's a very small sector. Once I jump there may be no chance to go back for some time.

my sister-in-law went from public to private- she's now totally, totally revitalised.

I find the assumptions that are made about the public sector so frustrating. I am looking for work at the moment after a short career break. My background is all local government - I lived in an area where public sector was really the only option.

Recruitment Consultants are excited about my experience, tell me that I have very marketable skills and then change COMPLETely when I tell them it is all local government. One company refused to interview me on the basis that I would be "too procedurally based" just because I'm from local government. Now, anyone I've worked with would laugh at that because I am quite the opposite, but that comany's attitude tells me more about the competency of the HR Director than anything else she could have said - for it was her that said it!

Yes, I've met some lazy, incompetent public sector workers. But I have also met lots and lots of hardworking, talented people who transform communities and make a real difference. Some of them are jumped up Councillors too.

FWIW the public sector isn't anywhere near as safe as it once and there is more pain to come. Most CX are talking quite openly now about becoming commissioners of services rather than providers so if you are in that sort of role I'd recommend that you try and jump ship now. Just don't assume that it will be that easy. From my experience it isn't because of the unfair assumptions people will make of you based on their prejudice against the sector as a whole.

I've worked in both. I prefer the private sector but only in a well established blue chip company. There are lots of very poor employers in the private sector

my sister works in the public secor and over the years has frequently tried to 'recruit' me away from private (we are both in marketing/comms). She gets great job satisfaction and so many days off you can't believe it. BUT the red tape is shocking and she earns a third of my salary even though she has an oxbridge degree and is only 4 years younger than me.

I came back to repost on this thread to find more replies - thanks very much!

Well I got the job (hooray!) but I am finding the decision to accept very very difficult. I am very lucky that they are giving me the opportunity, despite them having all the reservations that Llaregub mentioned. I'm sure the only reason I've been offered the job is that I know the company and they know what I can do, but they have reservations about my public sector background.

I'm really worried about the work-life balance, will I feel under pressure to spend more and more time at work to the detriment of my children? I will have to go away quite frequently - something I said I would never ever do. Would I be jumping from the frying pan into the fire? Possibly.

I feel damned if I do and damned if I don't. If I turn this down I will pretty much consigning myself to a life in the public sector and I'm not sure I can hack it. If I take this job and move there will be nothing for me back home and if it doesn't agree with me - or if I don't meet their expectations - I'll be stuffed.

This is so so hard!

Its no help to say it but I am going back into public sector soon after being SAHD/WAHD for nearly a decade. In my working life, I have worked at the brutal sharpest end of the private sector as well as for myself and also for the public sector.

If you have never worked in private sector you will find it a huge shock in the same way as moving from private (City) to public sector (academic university) was for me. The culture and pace is so different.

I would never go back to private sector and hope instead to mix public sector and self employment. I am regarding my public sector job as an insurance policy if my high risk self employment goes wrong.

OK, so it's less about private/ public and more about moving, it would seem. Would it mean a house and school move, or just a longer commute? Would the job be in a nice town or city? Would it be nearer friends and family?

Your children won't be young for ever (if, indeed, they are still young!) and you need to think what's right for you in the longer term.

I posted upthread as a recent convert to private from public and it's the best thing I ever did. Not that that helps your decision!

Hi BeenBeta. Thanks v much. Can you expand on what will be the biggest differences? I'm thinking that I will be more accountable, under more scrutiny, company needs will come before mine - possibly just more like real, grown-up work rather than being a bit of a walk in the park which my current job could be if I was that way inclined. But the upshot is that someone would care what I was doing, and how well, which would be a welcome change.

gaelic - have your private sector employer offered you a guaranteed minimum term contract (eg two years) moving without that puts you at risk of just being dumped in 6 months.

Many high paid private sector jobs offer that as standard contract clause in order to recruit people who are in secure jobs elsewhere. If you are that specialised it may be something to think about if you really will not be able to go back to your old job and you have to move house.

Biggest difference to me is the pace. Everything's done quickly (although I'm in a relatively small private company - 40 employees) rather than wait for several layers of approval and a budget disagreement. I also find the people more engaged and interested - there is a bonus structure so it's in everyone's interest for the company to prosper.

The biggest disadvantage is the lack of holidays!

AgentProvacateur - you're right that it's both. It is a mahoosive relocation that can't be reversed. My children are currently 5 and 18 months and I'll have to be away potentially for 2 or 3 nights at a time on a regular basis - I said I'd never ever do that! Without the move I would find it easier to say I'll just give it a go. I also always said I'd never move just for a job - but I really think this could be my only chance to jump ship. I'd be moving from a lovely area to an area that is nearly as nice, I guess some would say nicer. I'd be a fair bit closer to family but still a good 3 hours away. If there were no children to consider I would be taking the plunge without a second thought. I'm confused!

I found that public sector is very 'procedural' as others have said. I also found people in the public sector just were much much slower to respond to requests or questions that I needed to get my job done. Why answer today when tomorrow will do?

I also found that in some cases the ethics in the private sector was pretty reprehensible compared to public sector. Issues of equality and fair treatment are generally better adhered to in the public sector whereas in the private sector it is seen as a hinderance.

The private sector generally is a lot less tolerant of a family life. In fact, generally I would just not mention your family at work if you are in the private sector.

No, no guaranteed minimum term. From personal knowledge of the company I believe I'm confident I would not be exposed to that risk but of course you never know.

BeenBeta - the slowness of the public sector drives me totally totally mental. It can take me a week, two weeks or more to get the answer to a simple question. The inefficiencies are on an epic scale and I really really hate that side of things. I think this company is reasonably tolerant of family life - there are men working there who talk about their children for example, if that's an indicator?

I agree you may well find it a shock. I moved the other way - from private to public - and found it hugely frustrating. This was years ago, admittedly - but we had three people inputting the same data into three different databases because it hadn't occurred to anyone that there might be a more efficient way. You just couldn't have got away with that in the private sector - it wouldn't have been allowed to happen. Everything was slower, everything was needlessly complicated.

But sometimes a culture shock can be the best thing for a person. If you have itchy feet and need a new challenge, go for it.

Do you have a partner, or would you need to arrange childcare when you're away? Would it be every week or every month? Honestly, your DC will be fine. I worked evenings and nights when mine were small, and could go days without seeing them. They're 15 & 16 now and suffering no ill effects.

If you'd take it without a second thought if there were no children involved, you're saying that it's the right job for you. So you need to see how you can make it work and see what the schools etc are like in the new place, and then if you decide against it you'll know that you've researched it thoroughly.

Have worked in both, and I would not (personally) move back into private sector. When all is well, all is well- but when your child is sick, and off you have to go to work, and work long hours, you might wish yourself back.

I understand the challenge and that you want to move. But I think in general if you are a parent of young (pre-teen) kids, and especially an under 3, you'd be mad to leave.

There will be another oppurtunity, if there was this one!

Ooooh, lots of different views!

Obviousy thats just my opinion- I do understand the frustration of working in the public sector- in my job I get involved in as many extra curricular things as possible (change programme etc) and sort of try and change the organisation from within...

I'm considering moving from public to private sector, partly because most of the jobs I'd be looking for have been hived off to the private sector!
I've worked for both previously and IME the difference is much greater between large and small organisations than public/private. Small pub sector bodies tended to be very efficient; huge multinational private companies were slow-moving behemoths where little got done in many teams.

I have to admit I stayed in my current org as long as I did for the maternity leave, but unless I get an interesting project to work on when I return, I'll be looking to move as soon as I've done the minimum to avoid repaying mat pay!

I started working life in the public sector fresh outta uni and needing to pay the rent. Became bored and frustrated with policy and red tape so jumped at an amazing job offer in the private sector. After nearly 4yrs and with thoughts of ttc im now personally wishing i am back in the public sector. I think it very much depends on you and where you are in life:

Pros for private sector (in my experience):

1. Better salary, more opportunity for bonuses
2. Career progression isn't restricted to bands and grades as tightly as public sector
3. Freedom/flexibility in moving around within the company (no real formal internal transfer processes)

Cons of private sector (for me at present):

1. Job insecurity - if we don't win project work I'm out
2. Crap benefits other than salary (holidays, mat leave, sick leave, family friendly working, pension)
3. Unclear management hierarchy - it seems to change each week
4. Long conmutes are the norm - 3hrs a day for me
5. Like it or lump it attitude - they just do what they want with your time , if you don't like it, get another job elsewhere

Big draws back to public sector for me right now would be flexi time, good mat leave/pay, good pension, good holidays, relative job security compared to current job.

Only thing that keeps me where I am is the money...

JCHNB- I moved to public sector when I wanted to start a family. It was the right decision- MUCH more family friendly.

I did ten years in public, bloody good at job, eventually reapplied I was half killing myself with stress, underpaid, nothing would change. Bullied and tormented by idiot boss, male dominated environment, complete frustration.

Jumped ship to stupidly well paid private sector job and got shafted from a great height. But I had saved a great deal just in case and that sold me in good stead to take a year out as a self employed technician doing bits n pieces, thought long and hard about life etc. Now retraining after maternity leave.

Yup, I miss the bank balance of private sector, yup I would have got ace maternity perks in public sector but my stress levels would have been through the roof because watching inefficiencies day in day out drove me dotty. With relatives continuing to work in public sector it has become apparent that cuts are hitting home, jobs are being lost, there is ever increasing expectations of staff which are becoming impossible to fulfil. I am with not citrus though on the size of th organisation being a factor in organisation!

*realised not reapplied!

I moved from private to public some years ago and loved it because I felt so compressed in that particular private organisation - never any chance to share ideas outside the company because ideas were what they were selling. It was like being shut in a box. Also focus on bottom line not only for efficiency but also for raison d'etre is just plain boring. Also the sense of hierarchy was stifling - a lot of 'do you know who I am' stuff.

Public sector - I could at least in theory ring any other of hundreds of organisations and talk to them about how they were doing stuff, best ideas etc. If you could come up with a good idea and find the right people to support it, there was a really good chance it would happen in the end and it would actually make something better in people's lives. Also budget and pay discussions were just that, about the budget and pay, it was all public, it wasn't some holy secret process.

Wow, thanks everyone! AgentProvocateur - you make a very good point. At the point I am in my career and the way my interests have developed I think it is the right job for me.

GlitterKitty - I think half the problem here is that there possibly wouldn't be another opportunity, certainly not with this company and this is the pretty much the sole provider in this sector. However I do know that by working for this company I could acquire a load more transferable skills AND private sector experience that would hopefully make me more employable in general if things didn't work out.

Yes small versus large - that's a very good point. Large council versus small private company. Certainly the T&Cs are more stringent with this company - or rather you kind of know they'll be enforced rather than being a load of hot air.

Maternity pay/leave provision was one big reason why I stuck in the public sector for so long - that and needing to build up the right skills to - but I am totally done and dusted with that now! But yes DD is still very young, but then my partner is a SAHD so I'm not talking about the children being stuck in childcare 8 to 6.

As for working away, I think it could be every couple of weeks for a short period each year, but could possibly arrange it to be more spaced out. Possibly 6 to 8 such spells away in a year. Actually my biggest fear with this is having to drive long distances to get to these appointments, which I just don't do since I had an accident several years ago, but that's a whole new thread (and sadly also a factor in this decision!).