Civil service success stories?

[CivilservicesuccessStories]

Hi I’m interested in people who have managed to progress well in the civil service and any tips you may have?

I joined late (compared to some) at mid 30’s as an AO in an entry level role.
Applied and got an EO role 8 months later to a different government department. 2 years there I did a sideways move in to an area I really enjoyed for a couple of years and have just been offered an HEO role in another government department.

I had my children young and was only in part time unskilled jobs for some time (although often got promoted within them). I do have a degree but is only a 2:2 so not sure that will ever come in useful.

Ive discovered to my surprise I’m hugely ambitious now in my early 40s and am really enjoying work and I’d like to try and get as far as I can.

Is it too late for me do you think to go far?

Absolutely not. I started as an HO at 43 and am now on a training scheme to become a G7 at 48. Civil Service is a very age-friendly employer.

That’s great op, you’re already making amazing progress. I was going to suggest the best way to progress quickly is to be willing to move on quickly, but you’re already doing that!

I joined as an SEO (after having a career for 10 years in a tangential specialism), promoted to a new department as a G7 2 years later, and became a G6 about 18 months after that. I’ve stayed at G6 for a while as I get quite a large allowance so it just hasn’t made sense to look at SCS yet until I’m personally itching for it, not itching yet 🤣 I’m late 30s now.

Do you have a specialism or are you a generalist?

Oh and no I absolutely don’t think youre too late, I’ve recently hired an SEO who is 50 looking to change careers, she’s brilliant. Full of ideas and enthusiasm, we are helping her to become G7 ready.

You’ve progressed through four roles in less than a decade? Sounds as though you are doing brilliantly and don’t need advice from anyone here! Well done!
I did a decade in a private sector career, made a sideways move into the civil service where I moved up a couple of grades over the next decade, then left and now do consulting work.

Thank you all so much - that’s so very encouraging to hear, I feel like with every move I’m growing in confidence and enjoying getting my teeth stuck in to things. Im really hoping I’ll get to those higher levels one day.

@heekwhizI don’t think I have a specialism in terms of having a qualified skill such as IT if that’s what you mean (sorry I’m still not clued up with all the civil service areas!) what I’ve been doing best in so far is training and development, coaching and general people skills, that’s where my passion lies so far at least.

Sounds like you are doing well already OP!

I joined as an HEO in my late 20s and am now a G6 (I became a G6 in mid 30s. I am (very) early 40s but have had a couple of mat leaves, stints of PT working since becoming a G6 so have been happy to stay at this level for several years). As I'm sure you know, with the recruitment freezes and redundancies in the CS at the moment, internal jobs are more sparse than they used to be. So you need your job alerts switched on and be as flexible as possible. Also look for temp promotions for eg. Mat covers / special projects in your dept - this is a good way to get experience at the next level.

In the meantime, have a look at some development programmes - for example, there is a programme called Beyond Boundaries that i think HEOs can apply for? Some others as well. Your HR team should have a list somewhere. Usually these schemes include a bit of career development / goals / techniques etc.

Finally, you could also see if your dept offers a mentor scheme? Especially outside your own directorate. It's a good way to meet different senior people and can help show you are keen for opportunities / moving up. Good luck!

Thankyou @SecretCS for those tips as well. Great advice.