Hello people. I have a question. If one does most of their consulting work in the public sector, does it or is it regarded as less respected than in the private sector? Or as i presume does it depend on the nature of projects. Does anyone currently working in public sector hate/dislike it and if so why? Do you feel that you are missing out on anything?

Hi,I have worked as an internal consultant and led various V large Change Management and OD projects. I would love to join a consultancy firm but i would LOVE to make the jump from Public to Private Sector. I have applied for many jobs for which I have both the competencies and skills and have fallen at the first hurdle because my experience is public sector and not considered fast paced!! I figure it is their loss. Companies should remain open minded to PS employees there are many talented people who would love to jump ship but just can't for the reasons shared above. Public Sector work is under highly under resourced, over rigid,heirarchical, under paid and major changes taking place with great upheaval in certain areas and many people (mostly in senior positions) V averse to the changes. I great place to work if you can put up with the above and you wish to have the public sector labelling!

Steer clear of public sector work if you can. It’ll sit like a millstone around your neck. Any future employer, or indeed a resourcing manager, typically view public sector work with great suspicion. The work itself is also like wading through treacle. You’re dealing with a load of clients more interested in internal politics, what the union is up to, and whether or not a meeting will clash with their flexitime entitlements than making any difference to serving the public and offering maximum value for taxpayers’ money.

Consulting and public sector are an oxymoron ! Consultants are milking this sector to their advantage at the moment (like they did telco 5-7 years ago). The skills are around programme management and lack any strategy, technical or delivery experience. A real comfort zone (ie. regular hours/ location/ duration) -but, as a hard nosed consultant I would rather give up my soul for another industry.

I disagree with most of the pre held assumptions about the nature, quality and value of working in the public sector consulting field. True, most firms have capitalisd on this area over the last few years but you can get involved with some high profile projects, from asylum to egovernment - things that make a difference to lives. As for salary being lower, i also disagree - having approx 6 years experience (5 in public sector) and in strategy development, project and programme mgt - I am easily on £65 - 70k. Thoughts welcome but please dispell your prejudices about this type of work and use it to diversify your CV.

Sorry. You put it very, very well -point taken.