GOING PUBLIC With fears of job insecurity, it seems that many of us have radically reassessed our career paths. Catherine Quinn discovers why the public sector is suddenly enjoying a rush of applicants
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ime was when careers in the public sector were more about altruism than career success. Taking a role in this area, so received wisdom went, was more about doing good than an ambition for break away career success. But with job security in private companies crumbling, many workers are reassessing their options. And it seems that the public sector’s promise of steady work is suddenly attracting a rush of talented candidates. “With the economic problems there were some issues which led the market by way of job insecurity” explains Darren Montagu, MD of Hays Recruitment. “I think there was a bit of a feeling of ‘let’s go to work in the public sector’ because of the security it offered”.
In fact, according to Hays Research 72% of staff surveyed said they were more likely to consider a job in the public sector due to the economic downturn, with 73% stating that job security was top of their list for reasons to make the switch. Whilst more than half (54%) also said they would be well prepared to take a significant pay cut, in return for what they saw as greater job security. But the last few weeks has seen several think-tanks and experts declare that the economy has taken an unexpectedly early turn for the better, and although a fixed contract might now represent slightly less of a reason to go public the appeal hasn’t waned. Manpower’s latest Employment Outlook Survey shows that employers are reporting better hiring prospects since last quarter, with the outlook improving by three percentage points quarter-over-quarter. Redundancies have also now levelled off to be equal to hiring, and whilst the public sector is geared up for a recruitment drive, they’re not the only industry to be doing so. So with sunnier financial predications undermining the initial appeal of job security in the public sector, demand now seems to have expanded to encompass something more career-driven for private sector employees. “The initial increase in applicants might have been fuelled by the economy, but I think there are also some other significant changes which are more applicable now” says Darren Montagu. “The public sector is offering some very attractive opportunities, as it is recognising the need to attract private sector skills such as cost savings and efficiency – something the private sector is very good at. People are also now