Reply to: Public Sector Contracts

[The Spartan]

I use to think it's a cushy number, but having done two stints, it's just not for me..

1. There are a lot of incompetent people in there, who specialise in finding excuses and ways to delay doing real work.
2. Can't stand the culture.
3. Senior mgrs generally haven't got a clue. Directors even more so...
4. Always doing things on the cheap but waste money on the most stupid things...

Annoying clocking in and clocking out system. They value people that spend the time rather than the output....

Too much tea drinking. No dynamism to problem solving.

Can you tell it got to me...

That's how I felt when I was an actual Civil Serpent, you know it's bad when you're actually one of them and that's what you think about most of them.

[wantacontract]

no way....

I use to think it's a cushy number, but having done two stints, it's just not for me..

1. There are a lot of incompetent people in there, who specialise in finding excuses and ways to delay doing real work.
2. Can't stand the culture.
3. Senior mgrs generally haven't got a clue. Directors even more so...
4. Always doing things on the cheap but waste money on the most stupid things...

Annoying clocking in and clocking out system. They value people that spend the time rather than the output....

Too much tea drinking. No dynamism to problem solving.

Can you tell it got to me...

[VirtualMonkey]

I think if the contract comes through then I may be causing some waves.
I generally work very quickly (as I suspect most of you guys do) so if it's slow and dumb they want it's not me they need. I will still probably take it if offered though as I'll be home every night and be able to resume rock climbing again on an evening.
On the flip side....it'll give me much more time to post on here

[bobspud]

Just need to be careful. I came from heavy finance and slid into media, and eventually into big government. I finally got fed up with working with the occupants of the special bus and started to look to get back into private sector work. Many of the end clients don't want to Mix public and private sector experience and I generally agree with that.

The cultures are different. Personally I never got to work at home on any government work and have done far better since getting back to a commercial client.

Mostly I was aggravated with people dragging out a weeks work to well over a month.

[CheeseSlice]

I have contracted both Public and Private, no harm to have both on your CV just be prepared for a shock when you return to real work after!

WSMS

I recently finished a public sector gig (well via an outsourcer but with the public sector culture and pace) and I've been in a new private sector contract for just over a month. I think I've delivered more in one month than I did in 6 months

Has given me a great kick up the backside though, and I'm back to my usual productive self.

[pastalista]

Just done a decade as a contractor in the public sector and got my first gig back in the private sector in September 2011. Finished December 2011. Was supposed to run until May 2012. Totally different approach and attitude to the public sector.

In the public sector, I worked from home often, made my own hours, was very autonomous, got treated professionally, was treated as if my home life actually mattered a bit and generally found it to be a pleasant place to work. Yes, some of the people in senior roles shouldn't be allowed to use the remote control for the telly unsupervised but the guy I worked for in the private sector gig should have been certified. I achieved a lot and found most of my colleagues to be helpful and bright. Yes, sometimes the process could be slow but you adjust to the pace and push where you can.

It would be unfair of me to judge the private sector based on that one role at that one company and especially working for that particular boss but I personally can't wait to get back to a role in the public sector.

If only they would lift the ministerial approval requirement for senior roles we'd be laughing.

[Wobblyheed]

If it's a management position just wait till you try and get someone to do something.....

[SteelyDan]

you'll be fine - just need a little 'patience....'

[VirtualMonkey]

sounds like a dream gig

[SteelyDan]

Pub sec is fine, and I've done my fair share of it - last 2 contracts infact.

Pace is different, culture is different, response (flash to bang) times are different, & getting them to do things within reasonable (commercial) timescales is difficult;

biggest thing to overcome was the need for increased patience (having come from private consultancy environment) which led to frustration with them all on my part, oh and the day to day disbelief at the idiots who are in key positions.

Apart from that, and the low rates especially within NHS, it's great.

[VirtualMonkey]

Thanks all.
This is pretty much a no brainer in terms of pure financials and travelling, etc.
Only 20quid per day less than current and no B&B fees, etc plus I'll be home every night and it's a 12 month contract.
Here's hoping for an interview

[northernladuk]

We get a lot of questions about people thinking about moving in to NHS or public sector contracts..

Here is a search in google bringing back all the NHS questions in the business forums

NHS threads

and here is Public Sector threads

Public Sector Threads

There are a whole host of topics covered from interview techiniques in NHS/PS to the culture and all sorts. I am sure there is something for you in there.

[TheFaQQer]

Spot on, I personally have never had any issue going from public to private and back again infact a lot of the Public sector roles are run by outsourcers anyway

WHS.

Most of my recent work has been central government, mainly because that's where the bigger projects in my area have been. But I flit between public and private sector - rarely directly into the public sector though, mainly through Fujitsu, IBM, Steria etc.

[The Spartan]

Biggest shock of my life when I was a permie was going from public to private sector, what a change of pace

[SimonMac]

I have contracted both Public and Private, no harm to have both on your CV just be prepared for a shock when you return to real work after!