Government and Public Sector work
The Public Sector
Public sector work is a broad term used to describe those who serve the public. While many public sector workers work for the government, not all do
The public sector encompasses many roles within the government apparatus that serves the public needs. Workers performing roles in this capacity are often referred to as state or federal workers depending on their country of origin. As we have already noted, public sector workers are not always employed by the government, and depending on the role in question, might also be employed by the corporate sector too
The main traits looked for in public sector workers are:
Communicative Abilities
Confidence
Conflict Management
Customer Focus
Enforcing Laws, Rules, and Regulations
Equipment Operation
External Awareness
Gaining Voluntary Compliance
Initiative
Interpersonal Skills
Listening Ability
Safety Focused
Those who perform in public sector roles provide vital services to the public. While the majority of organisations engaged in public sector work are ran by local and regional authorities, some organisations, such as many in the public transportation industry, are not. Many organisations involved in public sector work operate on a not-for-profit basis, while others are funded directly by tax revenue. This gives them a big advantage as they are not dependent on the unpredictable revenue streams and excess profit margins that private corporations are forced to rely on
Public sector workers comprise around 3% – 10% of the total workforce. Some of the main occupations found in this sector go as follows
Armed Forces Roles
Bus drivers, train drivers, and other public transport operators
Civil servants
Culture and heritage workers (for instance, curators working for a national museum)
Doctors, Nurses, and other workers in the healthcare profession such as paramedics, administrators, and health service managers
DWP Workers
Police
Social care workers (such as social workers and carers)
Teachers
Other roles within the public sector apparatus such as (local government officials, councillors, maintenance workers, bin collectors, etc)
ADVANTAGES OF GOVERNMENT JOBS AND PUBLIC SECTOR WORK
As many workers in government and public sector jobs are paid directly by tax revenue, they are not reliant on their organisations to generate surplus profits in the same way workers in the corporate sector are. This can lead into some perceived and actual advantages that are outlined below
Increased job satisfaction
Working in government and public sector roles can sometimes provide increased prestige and job satisfaction. Whether as a public sector worker serving the public, or in a more formal branch of government itself, such jobs are usually regarded as an essential part of the nation’s economy, as such, this can sometimes lead to increased feelings of prestige and job satisfaction
Increased Job Security
Because most government and public sector work is funded through tax revenue, it is not reliant on profits in the same way that private sector corporations are. Because of this, these roles are much less susceptible to layoffs and job losses. It’s for this reason that one of the biggest advantages that those working in government and public sector roles enjoy is the increased job security their jobs provide
Advantages when applying for other roles
While in the first instance, employers will always look to match the skills of the person with the role in question (making their determination based on who is the best ‘fit’ for the role). Sometimes, when transitioning into another branch of government, or when transitioning across into certain roles within the corporate sector, some recruiters will prioritise candidates with experience in certain lines of government work – this can give you an advantage in these circumstances when applying for new roles
Flexible Working
Some government roles have more flexible hours when compared with those in the corporate world too, as such, this can sometimes be an advantage where some government jobs are concerned
Ease of landing the role
Some roles within the government apparatus, (especially entry level roles both at local and national levels), can be easier to land than their equivalents in the corporate sector