A job opportunity has presented it self. Everything (position, benefits, commute, salary) is looking great but the job is for the government.
My last 10 years have been in Corporate America. As a former consultant, I believe I have had a view into the most conservative and bureaucratic companies out there. But my dad insists that "working for the government is not “everyone’s cup of tea” and is opposed to idea. He also feels like “glass ceiling” is also more of a factor.
For those who have dabbled in both - can you tell me the pro and cons? Do you think someone in corporate who is used to pushing change and innovation can adjust to the government work lifesyle?
I worked for the government and made a conscious choice to leave to work for the private sector. My issues against working for the government were as follows:
Fear of being pigeon-holed. I was afraid that working for the government for a prolonged period of time would result in greater difficulties if I wanted to transition to the private sector. A recruiter friend of mine said that if someone appears to be a public-sector employee lifer, private sector employers are afraid to touch them.
Union politics. Where I worked, job titles and descriptions were treated like God's word. Deviating from the description earned you the suspicion and resentment of colleagues. There is a culture of mediocrity and if someone wants to aspire beyond that, you face colleagues happy to push you down.
Glass ceiling on advancement and pay. The pay scale is regulated and advancement is really political. Seniority and not skills are considered. I love getting a bonus at the end of the year in the private sector as a reward for my performance contributions - no chance of that in the private sector.
Obviously, the private sector has is own pitfalls and in the interest of giving a more balanced picture. Some of the advantages of the public sector.
Great pension and benefits. You retire well from the public sector.
Job security - lesser risk of being downsized during an economic downturn.
Better work-life balance. Because some (in case someone accuses me of stereotyping all government jobs) jobs are less demanding, there is a lesser expectation of taking work home, working after hours. I think you can demand that your personal time be respected (with the force of the union behind you) in a way you can't in the private sector.
At the end of the day, it's a personal choice and not all private sector jobs are great and not all public sector jobs are bad. It has to feel right for your personal circumstances.
Thanks Sehryish. Your post enforces what my dad has been saying all along. He's worked in govt sector for his entire life.
I loved his fexibility at work because I got to spend so much time with him growing up but honestly I have that in my job right now. I can work remote a lot and however there is no concept of pension - my retirement benefits are not that bad.
I think I am itching for a change. But it needs to be good change.