Moving from private sector to public sector job.

Mikefitzs

Interested in people's thoughts here.
I hm currently working in a small family business in a managerial position, salary €38k with statutory hols etc. I had applied for clerical officer and have gone through the tests and interview but I'm a little unsure I want to proceed if offered a position. I'd be losing approx €14k.
On the plus side of moving, I'd have proper working hours and no family squabbles to listen to in the workplace. I'd get proper leave periods, sick pay and begin to build up a pension, these are the things I hate about private sector small businesses.
I'm thinking I could work my way up within 3 to 4 years and I'd also have annual increase with the salary scale.
Is the better worklife balance in the public sector enough to sway you in there. What would you do?

JimPa

Only you can really tell how you could deal with the €14k drop. It all depends on your situation. Have you a mortgage? A home? Savings? Future plans?

Public sector is fine if you get an area you like and all the benefits (like flexi time) but some people are stuck in public sector offices and roles that they hate.

Crunchymomma

That's a sizeable drop in pay, I took a big, but not as big as that, drop when I joined the CS last year. It was definitely rough at the start

I applied for the Eo while I was going through getting placed as a CO and got it a few months later. That brought my basic up to 29k which is much more doable.

So i would definitely recommend applying for EO and try make the jump ASAP if you do make the switch

Mikefitzs

JimPa wrote: »

Only you can really tell how you could deal with the €14k drop. It all depends on your situation. Have you a mortgage? A home? Savings? Future plans?

Public sector is fine if you get an area you like and all the benefits (like flexi time) but some people are stuck in public sector offices and roles that they hate.

Thanks but I already know my personal circumstances. I'm really looking for some comments from people that have actually made the switch and came from similar circumstances as myself. Did it work out, were they happy they did it, would they like to leave and go back into the private sector. Basically did it meet your expectations.

Mikefitzs

Crunchymomma wrote: »

That's a sizeable drop in pay, I took a big, but not as big as that, drop when I joined the CS last year. It was definitely rough at the start

I applied for the Eo while I was going through getting placed as a CO and got it a few months later. That brought my basic up to 29k which is much more doable.

So i would definitely recommend applying for EO and try make the jump ASAP if you do make the switch

Well done :-)
I was sorry that I didn't apply for EO when they were offered. I thought to myself if I can get in the door at all I'll move up reasonably quick. Also interested in getting into customs which will help the financial side if I can get in there.

Crunchymomma

Mikefitzs wrote: »

Well done :-)
I was sorry that I didn't apply for EO when they were offered. I thought to myself if I can get in the door at all I'll move up reasonably quick. Also interested in getting into customs which will help the financial side if I can get in there.

The next EO will open toward the end of this year or early next year I think.

Staph

They are now accepting applications for EO in Dublin, if that area suits you. Applications are due in 30th August.

oal22

I am in the Public sector myself and there are great benefits in terms of flexibility, annual increments, ability to move etc.

The only thing I would bear in mind is that as well as your pension contribution (which is not insignificant), public sector workers also face a Pension Levy deduction in their salary. This does not go towards your own pension, but to help facilitate the current public sector pension bill (from what I believe, I am open to correction). I couldnt tell you the rates on this, but it may be something to consider as you are already facing a sizable salary reduction.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

If you can handle going back to bringing home €360 per week or whatever a CO starting gets these days, then do it. The work/life balance with flexitime and all that is great.

Wheety

Mikefitzs wrote: »

Thanks but I already know my personal circumstances. I'm really looking for some comments from people that have actually made the switch and came from similar circumstances as myself. Did it work out, were they happy they did it, would they like to leave and go back into the private sector. Basically did it meet your expectations.

You're the one who mentioned the cut of €14k so it's reasonable for someone to ask if it's doable. We're not asking for personal information.

If it's not a big factor in your decision, then you might as well apply, you can pull out at any stage of the process.

If you're put somewhere you don't like you're going to be stuck for a while. Maybe you could move within the Department if you ask.

Although you could be appointed to customs, chances are you won't from a general CO or EO campaign. They had a separate competition for customs positions recently. I think it was only available to current Civil Servants but not 100% sure on that.

If you have specific questions, I'm sure we'll be able answer them.

eigrod

Mikefitzs wrote: »

Interested in people's thoughts here.
I hm currently working in a small family business in a managerial position, salary €38k with statutory hols etc. I had applied for clerical officer and have gone through the tests and interview but I'm a little unsure I want to proceed if offered a position. I'd be losing approx €14k.
On the plus side of moving, I'd have proper working hours and no family squabbles to listen to in the workplace. I'd get proper leave periods, sick pay and begin to build up a pension, these are the things I hate about private sector small businesses.
I'm thinking I could work my way up within 3 to 4 years and I'd also have annual increase with the salary scale.
Is the better worklife balance in the public sector enough to sway you in there. What would you do?

At a rough guess, it will take you 10 years at least to reach €38k in the Civil Service, and that's if you are lucky and skilled enough to get through relevant EO promotion competitions.

Were you really really lucky & skilled enough, you might jump to HEO or AP through a promotion competition within 10 years, but very very few manage that jump.

Wheety

Do you have a degree? Are you based in Dublin?

Executive Officer in the Civil Service 2018 (Dublin)

EO starts on €29,026.

If you feel you have enough mangerial experience you could have a look at AP.

Senior Management Opportunities at Assistant Principal Level

Starting salary of €65,837.

TheBoyConor

Hi op. I worked in a civil, structural & environment engineering consultancy up to January. Over the past 2 years many many of my colleagues in that place (and other consultancies) made the move to local authorities, Irish Water, and the opw to capitalise on the removal of the recruitment embargos.
I made the move in January.

Very happy with it. No intense pressure and silly hours and having to just "get rid" of things off my desk regardless of the quality was up to scratch so as not to be spending time on them.

My commute to work is now 12 to 15 minutes by bike in Cork city centre. Work life balance is on point. Money is slightly better plus the certainly of increments. And I'm also on two panels for executive engineer. So once your in I find, you can progress quickly if You're good and you play your cards right.
And the opportunities for training and cpd are excellent where I am.
Recently completed a course on the building regulations and starting a level 8 in Building information modeling which is 80% subsided by my employer.

Ygritte

OP you might find this thread helpful!



https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057844828

beauf

Ygritte wrote: »

OP you might find this thread helpful!

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057844828

The useful information in that thread is almost drowned out by the trolling.

But if you read between the lines there is good info in it.

beauf

Mikefitzs wrote: »

....
Is the better worklife balance in the public sector enough to sway you in there. What would you do?

I would see if you can get managerial role more like your current one someone else in the private sector before going to clerical role.

Because that's a big change even without the public vs private aspects.

RiderOnTheStorm

I went from private to public a few years ago. Company let us go. Downsizing. Went from Mon-Fri 9-5 to shift work. Wages dropped by almost half. But old job paid off my mortgage, and I LOVE my new job. We have enough to pay bills and have modest fun. I should have done it years ago. Work life balance is so important. I didn't realise how important until I got this job. I thought it was money, but big salary means big headaches, big expenses, and big commitment. The public sector is brilliant. Depends on where you are of course. My job has security. Annual increments guaranteed. Unions to make sure I get whatever I am entitled to.

OP, if you can live on new salary, the reduced stress of getting out of a small businesses is worth it. (anything under 1000 employees is small compared to civil service!)

Gumbo

OP, 38k in the PrvS and then a salary of 24k in the PS will be more like about 21-22k salary doe to pension contributions pension levy. The levy is more than the contribution itself.

On the other hand. Conditions are different. To can’t just make a cup of tea, h less you have milk and tea bags, all of which is not provided by the employer. A cup of tea costs €1 in our canteen take out or 65c sit in.

The real benefit is work life balance. Ring able to come in an hour later and stay an hour later to make up when you had kids etc is the real
Bonus, although many private sector firms are now realising this and allowing it too.

Mikefitzs

Thanks guys, lots of food for thought there. I suppose I’d miss being the big boss for a while after moving. But I can tell you, being the boss is a very lonely position when there’s problems. I’ve currently got responsibilities to make sure there’s constant workload on the board for a team of 8 people. I’m early 40’s and been broke before so small wage packet I could adjust to but it’s the sedentary work and no longer controlling a team that I’d be concerned with. Would I lose my mind?

Mikefitzs

Wheety wrote: »

Do you have a degree? Are you based in Dublin?

Executive Officer in the Civil Service 2018 (Dublin)

EO starts on €29,026.

If you feel you have enough mangerial experience you could have a look at AP.

Senior Management Opportunities at Assistant Principal Level

Starting salary of €65,837.

I have all the necessary requirements but not Dublin. I see it’s nationwide so application will be going in tomorrow.
Thank you.

Gumbo

Mikefitzs wrote: »

Thanks guys, lots of food for thought there. I suppose I’d miss being the big boss for a while after moving. But I can tell you, being the boss is a very lonely position when there’s problems. I’ve currently got responsibilities to make sure there’s constant workload on the board for a team of 8 people. I’m early 40’s and been broke before so small wage packet I could adjust to but it’s the sedentary work and no longer controlling a team that I’d be concerned with. Would I lose my mind?

Whatever you choose, the very best of luck with it.
Go with your head and what’s best for you long term.

AndrewJRenko

Mikefitzs wrote: »

Thanks guys, lots of food for thought there. I suppose I’d miss being the big boss for a while after moving. But I can tell you, being the boss is a very lonely position when there’s problems. I’ve currently got responsibilities to make sure there’s constant workload on the board for a team of 8 people. I’m early 40’s and been broke before so small wage packet I could adjust to but it’s the sedentary work and no longer controlling a team that I’d be concerned with. Would I lose my mind?

There is lots of development happening within the Civil Service, and lots of places available for promotion due to retirements etc. They are hotly competed, so you'll need to be prepared to knuckle down and play the promotion game, maybe getting yourself some interview training to help you to get through the interviews.

Most CS posts are office based, though there are some alternatives, like Customs or public offices in Social Protection.