This weeks question comes from Ms A.L;
I currently work for a NDGB (Non-Departmental Government Body) which is due to face some substantial cuts. I’m looking to move into a private sector organisation but wasn’t sure whether this would be feasible in the current climate?
There is no doubting that things are still extremely competitive from a candidate perspective at the moment. Clients’ expectations over the past two years have essentially been that if they have a job specification to fill, they want an exact match in terms of both skill set and sector experience for their money. This has meant that it has been incredibly difficult for candidates looking to change the type of working environment they are used to.
Although I would be lying if I said things weren’t still tough from this perspective, there have been signs recently that the market is beginning to become a bit more flexible. We have had several clients approaching us recently who are keen to eschew the benefits of transferable skills, something which have not seen for a long time.
As I said though, the market is still very tough for those looking to switch from public to private. The biggest piece of advice I can offer in this area is for candidates to be aware of the perceptions that are often leveled at public sector experience, namely that people in this area tend to lack the commercial expertise to drive projects through and that real results can often become hidden by bureaucracy and red tape. If you are to be truly successful in marketing yourself to the private sector, you really need to bear these perceptions in mind when writing your CV – focus on results, how you’ve added benefits and provide evidence for this at all times.
For more detailed advice you can also check out the latest newsletter about making the change from public to private sector
You can send us a question for the Q&A Project Management Careers series through the contact form. Just state if you would like to remain anonoymous.
Image © 416style and used with permission.
Thanks for this article. Often people attending our PRINCE2 courses are looking to make changes to their career – the insights you give here are very helpful.