Career as Teacher

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Not enough advice was given for the trajectory. But it is not true that you have to go back to school to get Geo5. Work experience, mid career, performance at HQ count as well. I was the one who turned down the HOD appointment. Earned my promotion at HQ.

Thanks for the advice and to all who offered as well.
My RO told me that I was ranked a C+ in my first year in HQ. Mentioned it wasn’t to easy to get a C+ for first year..

Originally Posted by Unregistered

need to go back to school to get geo 5

Doubt that's true. Officer role in HQ is a SEO1-level role - on par with SH/LH. I've seen officers promoted to SEO1 while at HQ before (they will gain a 'senior' in front of their designation).

Someone commented about going back to school as HOD - since that's a SEO2/3-level role, that definitely helps accelerate things. But I think OP's move back to school without portfolio probably slowed things down somewhat, at least in the short term.

Ya there are officers who earn their promotion to Geo5，Seo1 while at HQ. Not necessarily after returning to school. My progress is really halted after returning as a teacher. Things are moving very slowly and I’m contemplating if I should go back to HQ. While at school, it is like doing many things but few value creation matters. Portfolio wise, I’m never on par with other officers who have a title and portfolio/things to do. Anyone has any idea if it possible to return to HQ for second time in officer position but not Specialist/AD?

Yoz... I was in HQ previously.... saw a few officers who have returned for a second time, so it's possible.

Thanks for replying. I thought it should be possible to return for the second time as long as experience and skills are relevant. The days of must return as specialist on second occasion were in the past I hope?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thanks for the advice and to all who offered as well.
My RO told me that I was ranked a C+ in my first year in HQ. Mentioned it wasn’t to easy to get a C+ for first year..

The sucky part of being in a govt role. You should ask him how to score as a first year and give specific examples on how to score B grade. Most probably he cant tell you.

Hate it when a dinosaur says you cant perform just because you have joined for a short while.

Anyone knows what is the total increment from geo5 to seo1 and seo1 to seo2. Total inclusive MI +PI? Thanks

Hi guys, I’m currently a GEO 4 in my 5th year of service. Was just offered HOD appointment but I rejected it. I didn’t require much about the position, but is this likely to be an internal appointment? Secondly, would this slow down my career progression?

Likely it is an internal appt where they will test you out. Maybe you should examine the reasons why you rejected it. Is it that you don’t feel ready for it? How likely are internal positions confirmed in your school? Always look at ways to grow yourself with or without the appointment. You also need to sort out what you really want. Sometimes taking an appointment position too early may not be a good thing if you think you will burn out fast. Invest in human capital, which is yourself.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The sucky part of being in a govt role. You should ask him how to score as a first year and give specific examples on how to score B grade. Most probably he cant tell you.

Hate it when a dinosaur says you cant perform just because you have joined for a short while.

The inherent problem with the system is that there are quotas for perf grades because of finite budgets for performance bonuses, and also the need to manage top-heaviness in the service. So the coping mechanism for that is to deliberately "space out" the award of quality performance grades, and "pace" the promotion rates of all but the most elite scholars.

It's dumb but that's the way it is. Would also like to see greater differentiation between the most outstanding performers (regardless of status), but that also means that the average performers will have to be content with receiving C grades basically every single year. Theoretically speaking, that should be the way, but staff morale and affirmation of small improvements is also a people management strategy.. right?