End of an Era (Work Related)
After 29 years in the public sector, I've been offered a role in the private sector that I'm seriously considering accepting.
I'm a Business Analyst and after having worked on some of the biggest public sector change programmes in the last fifteen years whilst progressing my career I thought I'd test whether my skills and experience were attractive to the private sector. One CV submission and one interview later I've had an offer for a Senior Analyst role in a global change consultancy.
Salary-wise it's in line with the grade above mine and therefore essentially a promotion. I'm content with the overall remuneration package.
However this is a huge decision. I've always pushed myself and worked hard to keep progressing and over 29 years I've become very comfortable in the knowledge that I can do that with minimal risk as I'll always get paid at the end of the month. Taking a step into the big bad world is a little scary after all this time.
I've had someone whose business acumen I trust look over my contract and the company's status and financial situation; their garden looks rosy.
It's fair to say that I'm pretty risk averse therefore an already big decision is made more difficult. Do I go with the offer while it's there? A bird in the hand and all that.
Or do I stay and push for promotion to the next grade? I should also add that I've qualified for that next grade recently but there aren't enough posts available currently so I'm on a 12 month reserve list. I could get a call tomorrow or that call could never come.
Why am I telling you this? Well, there's a huge diversity within this forum so I'm looking for the collective wisdom (not WIS-DOM) on my situation to assist in my decision making. I've already discussed this with all of those people I trust in the real world.
Many thanks.
End of an Era (Work Related)
From what you’ve said about being risk averse, I would say that you are better off staying where you are and pushing for promotion at every opportunity.
Whilst the public sector may not pay quite so well paid, there are plenty of other benefited to consider as has been mentioned already.
The private sector was cut throat with little job security when I left it twenty five years ago and from what I can glean, it has only got worse in the intervening years.
In your position and at your age, I’d be sitting pretty and looking to take a good early retirement/redundancy package if and when it’s offered.
With that security behind you, you can then pick and choose whatever you want to do.