I had 8 years in the public and went through the same considerations before taking a deep cut to start a career in the finance industry. If you are hang up about title (way inflated in the public sector) and pay, you will never switch because the rule of thumb to how much you get is you must generate at least 4 times your salary. An average manager with 8 years in the public sector easily takes in $100k per annum, to do the same in the consultancy business, you would need to manage or bring in $400k worth of projects/sales alone. No an easy task for a guy who is new into his career.

The bright side of things is the private sector is more performance-sensitive. If you are capable, the compensation catches up in the blink of an eye.

Good luck.

How did you manage to switch from public to finance?

I am trying to figure out why employers offer me jobs with $1000 pay cuts now. Does anyone know, in a stat board, what does the yearly increment incorporate? Does it have a

1. basic increment of 5%
2. additional component for good aptitude in work?

The reason I ask is because my increment is not the same every year. It was like this

Year 2: +$400
Year 3: +$300
Year 4: +$195


If I can understand this, then maybe I can figure out why other employers are offering me jobs with $1000 pay cuts

You are really overpaid considering the job requirement of picking up rubbish and grasscutting. The job also give you the stability and time to pursue a master degree. For every month you stay in your current job, you have gain vis-a-vis the people who are paying your salary. Stay long enough to reach the top of your salary scale and you can switch off since you have an iron rice bowl. The best thing is you are better than many others who have more demanding work and a lower pay. The salaries you were offered gave you an indication of the market rates. You should seriously think over whether you really want to quit.
Hope you get over it and reach a conclusion soon.

Unsolicited Advice
 

Hi Miwashi,

I've just read this thread with tremendous interest; I am also in the public service and like you was originally duped into the "wrong position". After suffering for 2 years, what I did was sought a secondment in a different division (Much nearer the Gods); here, I've received a much higher profile - and with that a full time transfer (& subsequently promotion). I'm a year or 2 older than you, and now pull about $100k a year in a middle management position.

Since you have not spared us the details of your employers I'll go out on a limb and make some suggestions:

1) Policy & Planning is always high exposure - Kim Goh's unit looks quite thin.

2) I don't know if with the impending opening of Gardens by the Bay (high profile), you may be able to find something there

3) International relations is also high profile; Work at NBC might also be right up your alley.

Please don't listen to all the naysayers talk abt biology degrees. Good Luck.

I'm guessing you just need to drop this guy an email to kick things off... Head/Training & Development SHAMRIL bin Jamil

hmm.. what makes you think i work there? I work in a grasscutting organization.

From your job description, it really do sound like you work for NPARK.... or NEA.

So from your description I guess I'm not getting that much after all? If you're around 2 years older than me,how did you get around $25000 more a year? Is there a huge pay jump when you go from MX12 to MX11, or does your pay more or less increment normally (ie $200 a year) while the pay cap jumps?

He may already be on MX10, which means he has been promoted twice since joining the civil service. But there's no need to feel discouraged by the salary gap. Lots of people earn more than you. The opposite is, however, also true.

it is very discouraging as I have never been promoted at all anywhere after working for 8 years. I don't think my performance is bad as I usually get a 2-2.5 month bonus.

So when you go from MX12 to MX11 there is a significant salary jump compared to a regular increment without advancing to the next grade?