Stay in Civil Service or consider private sector?

[GoldOnyx]

Hi all,

I’m in my early thirties and work in the Civil Service, having been here for just over six years.

I enjoy lots of things about my job and the CS - both things that are specific to the CS and other things. I like my current role and the fact I can move around between different departments and roles, I enjoy that my department’s work is very connected to politics and current affairs, I’m lucky to have a great manager and colleagues and also like the benefits we get e.g. good annual leave/sick leave/pension/maternity leave. I don’t have kids, but would like them in future, so the mat leave allowance is something that might be important to me in future.

However… the flip side is that I’ve been thinking more and more about earning potential and how I can earn more money. Life has been getting more and more expensive after the last couple of years of inflation and I live in London, which is an expensive city.

Also, I’m still fairly young and that I - hopefully - have at least a couple of decades of earning potential ahead of me, so should probably make the most of that (without wanting to sound arrogant - I really hope that doesn’t come across as arrogance!)

Given this, would it be a good idea for me to consider moving into the private sector?

The issue is I don’t really know what role I’d do in the private sector, as I’m a generalist civil servant who’s worked in a few different areas and I’m quite junior (I’m an HEO, which is two grades below middle management/team leader level, for anyone familiar with CS roles!) I’d be keen to explore private sectors at some point though. Maybe in 10-15 years or so, after I’ve had kids (if I have them)?

And I’m keen to stay in the CS for the variety of work opportunities and the benefits and culture. Should I just stay and try to get promoted to the next grade as soon as I can?

Appreciate any words of wisdom you have, and also very aware I need to do lots of research on this! These are just my very initial thoughts!

Sorry for the typos! Wrote this in a rush!

I left the CS 18 months ago and haven't looked back. I relish the freedom of the private sector and have pretty much doubled my earnings. But I served several years as a SCS2 so was in a position to pursue public appointments, was courted by headhunters etc and could more or less name my price. And from a long CS career I already had a maxed out pension so knew I wouldn't starve, had been through maternity and early years with my children and built a professional reputation in a niche area. My observation for you would be that private sector roles attainable from HEO don't tend to be so lucrative. You might be better off focussing on CS security now, whilst you get your future family underway. Then build a specialism that's marketable, aim to reach SCS1 roles within 5 years then start engaging with a recruitment company such as Green Park or Saxton Bampfyld, that specialise in the public-private intersection and transitions.
Good luck!

I don't think the two are mutually exclusive, OP. You could start applying for SEO / G7 positions in the CS whilst also exploring private sector options. What roles have you been doing so far or do you have a particular interest in a certain area? Are you in a big department where there are regular vacancies or a small department where things don't often move. Is there an industry in the private sector that is related to your interests that could be a natural next step?

One thing it might be worth doing is looking for a mentor (either someone in your department outside your team / directorate structure or in another department). They can be especially helpful in interview prep.

I joined the CS at 29 - I'm now late 30s and a Grade 6. Currently on my second mat leave. I've been pleased with the enhanced mat pay and flexible working since my eldest was born was I was 34. I sat my G6 interview at 7months pregnant and was promoted to G6 the day before i went on mat leave for the first time 😅. I'm planning on staying at G6 level until my youngest gets to primary and then will consider either SCS or private sector. I work in a very small department so there are limited opportunities for promotion but we work closely with some parts of the private sector so a bit of a natural move.

I'd also say that I know lots of people who have gone to the private sector for a couple of years and then come back to the CS with some interesting experiences and knowledge. Once you move, there will always be the opportunity to return if you wanted to - you'd just need to wait for an external vacancy. But if you enjoy your private sector role then you'll know it's for you.

Honestly I’ve moved from private sector to civil service and I think a chunk of people working in civil service are delusional about private sector. Maybe it’s a bit different because I’m not London based and job market is a lot better there. But about half my colleagues insist they’d be paid double in private sector and I’d say most of the people who say that wouldn’t pass probation in the equivalent role they are doing in private sector.

What career path are you thinking of?

In exactly the same boat @GoldOnyx.

CS has many benefits, but completely agree- the pay is now very poor for the roles and has not increased in the same way as NMW/private sector.

Pros with CS all seem to focus on the future, not the present.

Same same, although I'm a bit unusual in that I had most of my career in the third sector and private sector before moving in for a specific role at G7, now G6. I'm a specialist though which will limit my options for promotion to SCS doing this type of work. I do like a lot of the same things you like about it and the pension is obviously high value. I have a great team and manager and we're doing some really cutting edge work. I will probably have to move out again for money though which makes me a bit sad as public service is super important to me.

Have you heard about the right to reappointment? Have a look on your intranet- this gives you something of an option to leave and come back. If you're a generalist this could be an option.