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Public Problems
I worked for a large successful private company for 5 years and enjoyed every minute of it. My career path was going really well and I was promoted to a team leader role before the company moved and I could not follow.I found a job with my local council which was a few steps back from my capabilities, but I thought that I could work my way up the ladder.
I have now been there for almost 3 years and my boss has not given me an appraisal, despite me keep asking. I am a good worker and a secondment opportunity of a higher grade came up in another area, but my manager refused to let me go because she told me I would be letting the team down and to take it as a compliment!
I am furious, Since working here I have found that the jobs I apply for already have someone elses name on it so it is evener harder for me to move up from my Support role into a job that suits my skills and abilities.
I am not sure whether it is worth me throwing it all in and going back to a job within the private sector!!
Comments
It all depends on what you're looking for.
Recognition and reward are not high on the radar of many public sector roles. Job security and pension used to be, but even they have taken a back seat in recent times. It's not a particularly competitive environment either, so the prospect of working your way up is a poor one. It tends to reward mediocrity and the inconspicuous, whilst providing a sort of blanket cover of job security of job tenure. Don't expect to set the world on fire, but as a whole you'll pretty much be left to your own devices for as long as you wish, until or unless you make an almighty cock-up.
Having said all this, is the private sector any better ? Probably not, as it inherits many of the negative traits of the public sector, whilst puporting to recognise and reward talent and achievement.
Recognise the public sector for what it can offer you; breathing space, with time to reflect and re-focus. A chance to tread water for a while and an opportunity to avail yourself of the excellent training and development budgets they hold. It's never going to be 'fast-track' but it does hide a wealth of value that the private sector lacks, should you go and search for it.
Charlie - May 17, 2007 12:31 PM
I agree totally with Charlie and I sympathise. I also had a similar experience with the public sector back in the mid to late 90s; I swore never to go back. Sadly, if you're not a posh, blue-eyed crony with a degree from a posh red-brick uni, then I'm afraid no fast track for you.
My suggestion - bite the bullet and quit for temping/contract roles. You must be flexible and it will take you round the block a bit but you'll experience different places and bosses, y'know - the good, the bad and the absolutely useless types. Sooner or later you will find a good place to bed down.
Trust me, it worked for me and also for my nephew who is now with a reputable investment bank in Docklands having been a "broken" man in the public sector!
Aden - May 22, 2007 10:06 AM
The councils "dead mans shoes". Your only supposed to sit in the corner, drink tea, eat fairy cakes and chill for the next forty years.
Ross - May 30, 2007 12:02 PM
Sounds like you'd be a lot happier in a fast-moving commercial environment before this place destroys your spirit... Dunno - I just don't see how councils could provide the kind of challenges and exitement you need.
Andy - June 3, 2007 11:38 AM
I too am in the same position that you are in, and I agree with all the excellent advice put before you.
In my experience, local authorities are stitched up by the managers who already have relatives or friends lined up for the promotions.
In my situation, I have worked at the same level for 9 years (a frontline confrontational job), and was recently turned down for a supervisor's role in favour of an outside applicant, on the grounds that I was too confident in the interview???
A week later, the managers were promoting the recent new addition to the team (a female), to show that they were committed to equal opportunities - tick's in boxes!
My advice is to update your CV and use it to show your ambition and goals as a positive attribute - there are still employers out there that do value applicants with drive. I know because I'm now in negotiations with another organisation that have approached me, after having worked alongside me in my current role.
Go for it, and don't look back!
Lee - June 5, 2007 8:12 AM