Government sector vs Private sector

[artichoke]

Since you do not have a job now, I will suggest you to take it up and still keep a lookout after. There are certain things that you never try, you'll never know. In the past, I thought I can never do public speaking and now, here I am hosting people all over and am enjoying the opportunities to talk to different people. Give it a shot, just in case in the near future you regret.

[gwennie]

I did consider taking it up and still keep a lookout thereafter as this is the first offer and i suppose i am somewhat worried that this might be the only offer and i don't want to miss the opportunity should nothing else comes along. Then again, i wonder what i'm gonna do IF something better comes along too should i accept the job.

Also, as the interviewer told me earlier, she would prefer that the selected candidate who takes up the job to be committed and stay on. I guess i am one of those sort who would like to be seen as decisive and responsible, rather than jumping boat once a better opportunity comes along, especially after i have taken up the offer. Though at this moment, i very much want to be selfish and look after my own welfare and interests than anything else.

I know it sounds all oxymoronic coz i am very much confused right now

lyuira, i think they are privatised but with government linkages? I could be wrong though...

[lyuira]

lyuira, i think they are privatised but with government linkages? I could be wrong though...

So does it mean they take the best or the worst of both worlds?
Temasek is a GLC, but it owns more than half of SIA. And there are other instances... I hope it's possible to find a compromise between govt and private sectors...

[HAPPY CHERRY]

Am currently working in a Govt body for less than a year. And I want out. The reasons are
1) The colleauges - very baby/ family oriented, very boring so much so I rather not talk to them as I do not want to become stupid and unambitious

2) Initially was nothing much to do, now many things to do as my colleagues are ALWAYS pregnant

3) Shitty colleagues - no team spirit only individual incentives

4) No career prospects - Govt bodies are created for scholars to excel only


What reasons should I give during interview as to why I want the change?

[mirabilis]

A stupid question.
Is a government-owned company considered government sector? Like SIA or Temasek?

Strictly speaking, no. But they may have benefits similar to the government sector.

[mirabilis]

Am currently working in a Govt body for less than a year. And I want out. The reasons are
1) The colleauges - very baby/ family oriented, very boring so much so I rather not talk to them as I do not want to become stupid and unambitious

2) Initially was nothing much to do, now many things to do as my colleagues are ALWAYS pregnant

3) Shitty colleagues - no team spirit only individual incentives

4) No career prospects - Govt bodies are created for scholars to excel only


What reasons should I give during interview as to why I want the change?

To add on to (1) & (2), yes. Colleagues tend to be very baby/family orientated., but that is why many stick it out in the public sector, in spite of poor returns, lack of advancement etc, because it's pro-family. Women don't get fired for getting pregnant, married or having children.

I resent that comment on stupidity and lack of ambition though.

As for (3), that depends on the place too.

As for (4), I can't argue with the basic assumption underlying it.

You can always say that you have achieved maximum growth in public sector exposure and achieved what you wish to learn in and about the public sector. Additionally, stressed that you wish to experience the private sector, as you understand that it's more dynamic in nature as compared to the public sector, which is by necessity, slow to manifest changes due to its regulatory nature.

[mirabilis]

I did consider taking it up and still keep a lookout thereafter as this is the first offer and i suppose i am somewhat worried that this might be the only offer and i don't want to miss the opportunity should nothing else comes along. Then again, i wonder what i'm gonna do IF something better comes along too should i accept the job.

Also, as the interviewer told me earlier, she would prefer that the selected candidate who takes up the job to be committed and stay on. I guess i am one of those sort who would like to be seen as decisive and responsible, rather than jumping boat once a better opportunity comes along, especially after i have taken up the offer. Though at this moment, i very much want to be selfish and look after my own welfare and interests than anything else.

I know it sounds all oxymoronic coz i am very much confused right now

In general, I think unless you really made a huge and embarassing mistake, the public sector is more tolerant of mistakes than the private sector. So why not take the opportunity to train up your public speaking skills?

Just don't stay too long in the public sector (maximum 2-3 years) if you want to work in the private sector in the long run, as staying too long in the public sector is detrimental rather than helpful. Unless, of course, if you are in a more dynamic stat-board with transferable skills, (public speaking would count as one), but I think there's still a time-bomb involved.

[Blissful]

I did consider taking it up and still keep a lookout thereafter as this is the first offer and i suppose i am somewhat worried that this might be the only offer and i don't want to miss the opportunity should nothing else comes along. Then again, i wonder what i'm gonna do IF something better comes along too should i accept the job.

Also, as the interviewer told me earlier, she would prefer that the selected candidate who takes up the job to be committed and stay on. I guess i am one of those sort who would like to be seen as decisive and responsible, rather than jumping boat once a better opportunity comes along, especially after i have taken up the offer. Though at this moment, i very much want to be selfish and look after my own welfare and interests than anything else.

I know it sounds all oxymoronic coz i am very much confused right now

oh boy! i'm in the same position as u gwennie! i've been looking for a job for so long, finally got accepted by a Stat board but the benefits sucks big time!
$350/yr medical benefits, no hospitalisation benefits (1%of gross salary into CPF to buy insurance),
i'm hoping to get another position in another company but i'm worried abt not getting it and missing this boat and i dun want to look irresponsible for jumping ship when soemthing better comes along.

[Ahappycherry]

I wonder if govt / stat board have better bonus as compared to banks / private comapnies? Stat board the bonus all in is approx 3 mths. any one knows

[hibernate]

I wonder if govt / stat board have better bonus as compared to banks / private comapnies? Stat board the bonus all in is approx 3 mths. any one knows

been working in a stat board for a yr .. no 3mths bonus

[hibernate]

I did consider taking it up and still keep a lookout thereafter as this is the first offer and i suppose i am somewhat worried that this might be the only offer and i don't want to miss the opportunity should nothing else comes along. Then again, i wonder what i'm gonna do IF something better comes along too should i accept the job.

Also, as the interviewer told me earlier, she would prefer that the selected candidate who takes up the job to be committed and stay on. I guess i am one of those sort who would like to be seen as decisive and responsible, rather than jumping boat once a better opportunity comes along, especially after i have taken up the offer. Though at this moment, i very much want to be selfish and look after my own welfare and interests than anything else.

I know it sounds all oxymoronic coz i am very much confused right now

oh boy! i'm in the same position as u gwennie! i've been looking for a job for so long, finally got accepted by a Stat board but the benefits sucks big time!
$350/yr medical benefits, no hospitalisation benefits (1%of gross salary into CPF to buy insurance),
i'm hoping to get another position in another company but i'm worried abt not getting it and missing this boat and i dun want to look irresponsible for jumping ship when soemthing better comes along.

actually you can just jump .. stat board's staff turnover very high imo

[vividsenses]

I read in the previous posts that the general perception that public sector jobs have limited exposure. I dun think it is fair to say that. It really depends on your job scope and which govt agency you work for. I know people from IE, STPB have very good global exposure when you are discussing policies that affects the country economy it is really thrilling. My friend's GF works for MAS and she was heavily involved in organising the WTO meeting when it was held in Spore.

I am currently working in a GLC with good international presence, there are very good exposure if you are capable and work in the 'correct' job. Of cos if we are talking about simple admin job, then dun expect to be exposed much. Over here, even the finance managers have really wide international exposure and they fly around a few times a month.

But I have to agree that it is easier to achieve work-life balance here. When I first join, I could not get used to the 'slower' pace but sometime it is really hectic like top mgt suddenly reviving a project and expecting things done in 2 weeks. A lot of the colleagues here stay on for years, I am not sure if it is healthy but I do know that we are quite pampered here. My next job offer has to be really attractive and the benefits has to be at least comparable to make it worthwhile to move on.

Benefits wise, 22 days annual leave, 4-7 mths bonus, $350 medical, $200 dental.

[hibernate]

for me, benefits will be 18 days annual leave (0.5 off days to be given per alternative saturday worked), medical is co-payment for outpatient (50% covered, up to $350), 100% for company doc. dental is co-payment 50% up to $100

[mirabilis]

Benefits wise, 22 days annual leave, 4-7 mths bonus, $350 medical, $200 dental.

Just to add on, the 4 to 7 months bonuses are also dependent on which government agency you are working for. Some stat boards and ministries have bonuses amounting to 2.5 to 5 months, others have 3 to 9 months.

Also, I would say staff in stat boards dealing heavily with the private sector tend to have better exposure than other stat boards with more insular functions.

[Ahappycherry]

Was talking to a head-hunter and became quite demoralised. She did state that being in a govt body actually decreased my marketability, coz of the poor perception that you are a lazy person who wants to go home at 5:30. No wonder all my interviewers keep stressing whether I am willing to work hard Feel very yuan wang