Moving on from G6/7 civil service - what are my options

[Pastlast]

I’ve done ‘big’ G7 jobs in the civil service for about 10 years. By which I mean managing teams of 4-6 people, having sole responsibility for a complex policy area and managing multiple projects within it etc.

Since the grade split those jobs are not really there anymore. I’ve been trying for two years to secure a G6 role which everyone agrees should be my next step but I have had absolutely no luck with interviews for these roles or other G7 roles either.

The constant rejection has made me severely mentally ill to the point where I’ve been referred for a psychiatric evaluation. it’s been really tough and I can’t keep doing this. My current role is awful and I can’t stay - but I can’t pass interviews and move on either. I’m still very much working competently though not at my best. I spend large parts of the day crying in secret and I can’t sleep.

I think quitting work altogether would not improve my mental health. I think the only way forward would be to leave the civil service and do something else as soon as possible.

if you have left a G7 or 6 policy role, what type of work did you go into? Any tips as to what type of sectors to start thinking about greatly appreciated!

Have you tried applying to another department?

Several people I know who have left the CS at that level have gone into consultancy, but depending on your contract that might not be something you'd be allowed to do straight away.

What sort of salary would you be wanting to get?

Do you have any experience apart from the civil service? I work in consultancy and we get a number of people joining from the civil service, but the culture and way of working is very different to the civil service and most of them end up leaving quite quickly. The few who stay are usually good and do well.

Have you tried MOD?

Oh that sounds difficult! Odd that given your experience you haven't managed to get a G6 job. Are you getting interviews, but not getting the job? Have you had any useful feedback? Have you had any temporary promotions?

If you definitely want to leave, worth checking out the regulation sector - there are dozens of regulators and lots of ex-civil servants working there.

I’m sorry to hear you’ve gone through this.

Look at universities. Do policy, pay ok, need general competent managers. Although at G7 salary you could be managing a lot more than 4-6 people (I’ve made the shift the other way).

Would you stay in policy? Why not move 'out' to the ALBs/third sector/ private companies in your policy area, as a Director role? Hard without knowing your area but there's lots like this in education / economic/ science policy etc

I agree with this, University would be a good switch. There is a big but though, universities tend to expect a huge amount of goodwill and working over hours is common. I'm not familiar with the civil service, so this may be similar. I have seen very good but poorly boundaried people broken in Universities. This may not be good for you if your mental health needs building back up.

I’d agree @Floopani , my uni job was far harder than my CS G7 job and with much crazier hours. But the work and people were more interesting. I’m in a small department and don’t understand CS norms.

Wow thanks so much for your replies! I’ve done a few legally heavy technical policy areas, think things like human rights and data protection (being a bit vague here) I know I’m well thought of but my confidence is zero at the moment and my job has so little challenge compared to previous jobs, so I can’t see how I can build it up while staying here.

it took me a while to get the hang of the interviews and I think I was unlucky with a couple, but this has taken me past the point of being good to the point where each one feels like my last chance and I’m a nervous wreck and I just spout gibberish. I’ve also had some really odd feedback. Like I’m over prepared and I care too much about the job. I think at this point people can sense my desperation.

I actually never wanted to do anything else but this experience has basically ruined the civil service for me. It’s felt very unfair.

I’m going to look into the regulatory bodies, I have one in mind that’s linked to a former policy area. Will also check out universities although I’m a bit ignorant about what policy type roles they need.

You'll find information governance (in fact if you have lots of information governance experience, NHS is good for this too), student policy/cases teams who oversee complaints, escalated appeals etc. business continuity, and potentially entire legal teams depending on the university. If you have managed teams or have strategy experience, you would be able to move into many areas of university professional services. Try jobs.ac.uk.

I say this kindly, is there a reason you're getting so upset at not securing a promotion? It does get tricky at that level. It sounds like you're in a cycle of psyching yourself out, I'd personally go for a level transfer first to build confidence and experience whilst escaping the role you don't like; and then go from there. Unless you have an additional skillset such as project management policy is fairly niche. Sure there are transferable skills, but not that will likely land you a comparable salary and benefits for a fair while. There are also policy jobs but as PPs have mentioned you'll be limited likely to certain sectors that probably won't be any better.

Have a look at moving to a regulator. Their pay is often better - I made a sidewise move in terms of responsibility, but the benefits for pay and annual leave are much better than CS.

One thing at a time - if your mental health is awful, work on that first. Trying to move roles or industries whilst unwell will be setting yourself up for failure. Crying all day is not normal, I'm really glad you're taking steps to deal with it. Are you on medication? It works for a lot of people. Also talking therapies, CBT particularly.

I'm sorry things are so tough, I hope you feel better soon.