Career switch from govt to private sector

[geniuspear]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here seeking advise. Im currently a regular police officer for the past 4 years. 26 y.o with a higher nitec in electrical engineering drawing a comfortable salary of about 2.9k.

Im actually looking to switch into private sector. Alot of my classmates and close friends are mainly in private sector. They encourage me to try the sales line, since I own a car, they say it shouldn't be an issue getting hired. They say avg pay outside now is abt 1.7k basic with 800 car allowance + comms etc.

I find that rather attractive as as a regular, I would not be able to hit that salary range in the next few years. In fact most of my friends encouraged that I leave the public service before I become too old.

Im looking at the sales executive or sales engineer career as suggested. Any advise for someone like me? Is there any other line that I can try despite the fact that I only have work experience in law enforcement and I only have a higher nitec? I know some people here are going to say security guards or cleaners etc, But im seriously in need of some help here. Thanks

Originally Posted by geniuspear

Hi everyone, this is my first post here seeking advise. Im currently a regular police officer for the past 4 years. 26 y.o with a higher nitec in electrical engineering drawing a comfortable salary of about 2.9k.

Im actually looking to switch into private sector. Alot of my classmates and close friends are mainly in private sector. They encourage me to try the sales line, since I own a car, they say it shouldn't be an issue getting hired. They say avg pay outside now is abt 1.7k basic with 800 car allowance + comms etc.

I find that rather attractive as as a regular, I would not be able to hit that salary range in the next few years. In fact most of my friends encouraged that I leave the public service before I become too old.

Im looking at the sales executive or sales engineer career as suggested. Any advise for someone like me? Is there any other line that I can try despite the fact that I only have work experience in law enforcement and I only have a higher nitec? I know some people here are going to say security guards or cleaners etc, But im seriously in need of some help here. Thanks

My gut sense is a lot of your friends are jealous of your position and trying to pyscho you to bring you down to their level.

Look at it realstically and dun just assume you will be the one who will make it big. The pay, benefits, stable bonus, job security you are getting it now is what most of your ITE peers are desperate to get.

Unless you are some undiscovered sales hot shot, chances are you will not get back anywhere your total pay now for the next 7-8 years, that is assuming you dun get screwed along the way. Once you are out and dun make it in sales, your lousy academics and lack of exp will severely hamper you from getting anything at all.

Always think of downside, dun just assume you will be the special one who will overcome odds and make it big.

[geniuspear]

I highly doubt they are trying to drag me to their level seeing their spending power and years of friendship. I think its quite common for sales personel to earn about 2.5k+ basic b4 commission...

Originally Posted by geniuspear

I highly doubt they are trying to drag me to their level seeing their spending power and years of friendship. I think its quite common for sales personel to earn about 2.5k+ basic b4 commission...

I dun know where ur getting these strange ideas. 2.5k basic for a sales exec is for a fresh grad from a local uni., def not ITE fresh grad. Realistically assuming you can somehow survive the pte sector, average increment is only ~4% and promotion ~10%. You will need about 8 years to reach 2.5k if u can even secure a job at 1.7k (which is very high for a ITE starting).

Work out the maths yourself, like I say dun just have some vague idea you are going to be a high flier who will make it big. Dun forget also that in SPF its easy for you to do PT diploma and even secure a sponsorship, go outside u work long hrs hard to find time to study and still need to self fund ur studies.

Originally Posted by geniuspear

I highly doubt they are trying to drag me to their level seeing their spending power and years of friendship. I think its quite common for sales personel to earn about 2.5k+ basic b4 commission...

Hi, before you think about commission, do you think anyone without any commercial/industrial experience can hit the target as per required by companies? In this era, can you imagine how many graduates (U or diploma) are looking for jobs? Frankly speaking, you are the same with them. With no private experience at all.

Please work out the sum. You need at least 1 k for the car and maintenance. Deduct away CPF, not much left. Let's imagine you did well after 1 year. And you get your commission shares. But can you withstand customer talking bad about you or your products when you sell something to them, can you stomach all these since you have been as a police officer before?

It is not easy being in sales. But no harm giving it a try, if you do not have any family commitment.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I dun know where ur getting these strange ideas. 2.5k basic for a sales exec is for a fresh grad from a local uni., def not ITE fresh grad. Realistically assuming you can somehow survive the pte sector, average increment is only ~4% and promotion ~10%. You will need about 8 years to reach 2.5k if u can even secure a job at 1.7k (which is very high for a ITE starting).

Work out the maths yourself, like I say dun just have some vague idea you are going to be a high flier who will make it big. Dun forget also that in SPF its easy for you to do PT diploma and even secure a sponsorship, go outside u work long hrs hard to find time to study and still need to self fund ur studies.

hi TS, to be frank, the above quote is harsh but true.
public sector provides stable and generally good pay for its employees.
it is not easy to make it outside, not trying to pour cold water on you but its true after experiencing it myself, having a good degree.
a diploma will do you good in terms of promotion opportunities and enhancing your employability, and who knows, you might find your passion in studies and even pursue a degree and get emplaced to a senior police officer.
though its good to look on the positive side of going outside, the bros here are being genuine and encourage you to look at the potential negative sides and the reality outside.

[geniuspear]

thx guys for the advise. Ill just give it a try... since i'm very unhappy with my current job.
I guess end of the day, happiness is something money can't buy... not that the govt pay me alot anyway... thx guys anyway

I notice a lot of mid career ppl from SAF/SPF backside itchy thinking of coming outside, most that I know end up regretting. The few who actually make it outside are very clear what they wanted to do outside and have saved up diligiently and made concrete plans and did the necessary networking before they actually resign.

In my exp ppl like TS who only want jump because of unhappy with work, boss, colleagues etc but no idea what to do and no prep work b4 that and just think of having a stellar career in some undefined sales jobs usually end up hurting in the end - no money, no security, no career.

I advise TS to stay inside police and spend a year research what he want to do, take relevant course and networking properly first. Like that no head no tail no qualification jump into some stupid sme salesman job sure die pain pain later.

If I were you, I would just stay in SPF and study PT for a diploma and hopefully a degree. Can even get sponsored by SPF to take PT dip at local poly or degree at unisim eventually. You only have a higher nitec cert, don't dream so big please. Get a diploma/degree first. Then if you come out and flunk at sales, at least you still can find job. Anyways, if you have a diploma or degree, you can promote faster within SPF and get more pay...

Originally Posted by Unregistered

If I were you, I would just stay in SPF and study PT for a diploma and hopefully a degree. Can even get sponsored by SPF to take PT dip at local poly or degree at unisim eventually. You only have a higher nitec cert, don't dream so big please. Get a diploma/degree first. Then if you come out and flunk at sales, at least you still can find job. Anyways, if you have a diploma or degree, you can promote faster within SPF and get more pay...

agree, better to study in police first. at least if salesman career fail still got backup. otherwise only a nitec taken many years ago with no relevant exp, only jobs left if faill will be security guard, administrator, warehouse and driver.