Marketing/Events: stat board vs ministry vs private sector payscale?
 

i'm currently at the 2 year mark of my public service career in marketing (had a few years of experience with start-ups and sales previously), and my annual gross package is approx. 60k/p.a.

being in a stat board and identified as a high performer (top 30% of cohort), i must say my current package is quite decent. however, i'd also like to explore alternatives and see if i could get better offers elsewhere.

for the peeps in marketing - which segment (SB,Min or private) offers the best package and promotion opportunities? specific company recommendations are welcome. I'm looking to hit middle management in 8 years time (which I hope is not too ambitious). while people always say that private sector offers the best package, some/most of my friends are only receiving 0 to 1 month bonus this year (and total package is lesser than i'm earning now).

as I have a family with 2 young kids, the only segment I'd exclude is the agencies - can't afford to slog 12h++ daily even if it pays well.

advice appreciated, thanks! :)

hmm not sure why the forum doesn't allow a 2nd edit, but here's a few more questions i'm curious about:

will my grade/HiPo tag in the SB be transparent to other SBs and Ministries if I decide to jump within the public sector?

Is it common for SB/Min to offer 15-20% pay raise when jumping within the public sector?

Do companies in the private sector enforce bell-curve grading/bonus distribution?

thanks!

Patience, young grasshopper. The first year was pretty much the honeymoon period, and your second year could be seen as merely a once-off performance. A few more years of success under your belt, get a promotion or two, and then you can confidently take that CEP/ranking and hawk your credentials elsewhere.

But keep in mind you might be a big fish in a small pond right now - jumping to some other pond might put you into a much more competitive environment that results in you being ranked as an average performer on that famous bell curve. If you don't choose your landing spot right, you might end up in departments where there are scholars left, right and centre and you get left scrambling for scraps.

would appreciate some constructive suggestions/answers to my questions above.

thanks.

Everyone is different depending on capabilities, cultural suit, professional networks, office political skills and most importantly luck.

You can't just announce to everyone you are in marketing and demand that people tell you where to get the best pay package and promotion. If it were that simple and straight forward, everyone will just dash there to get a flying career, who wants to work anywhere else?

The world doesn't work this way. I am surprised a mid career who has worked for quite a number of years is asking such a typical undergrad question.

you should just stay where you are. don't backside itchy and later regret.

it is easy to leave a place but not easy to go back

Well, you asked for advice, so advice was offered.

Since you now want something more specific:

will my grade/HiPo tag in the SB be transparent to other SBs and Ministries if I decide to jump within the public sector?

No - unless you were seconded by your parent organization. And it is considered bad manners to trot out your, frankly rather short, track records to your next stop.

Is it common for SB/Min to offer 15-20% pay raise when jumping within the public sector?

It depends if it you are applying for a lateral-grade position or a higher position. Lateral position, no. Next-grade-up position, well, you better have the qualifications, but the pay will definitely be better (equivalent of a promotion, so 10-15%).

Dear AlsoFarmer,

Notice that I did not demand people to tell me where to get THE best pay package and promotion - I am merely exploring and would appreciate advice of fellow farmers who have trodden the same path as I did.

As for your 2nd question: well, career advancement is only one factor out of the many things that people desire. I recognize there are trade-offs and I am willing to sacrifice the so-called work life balance for accelerated progression.

Hope it answers your question.

Thank you.

Now we're talking. Thanks for the advice. I have a few questions pertaining to your response:

1. Secondment will not give me a payrise/promotion even if I ask for it, because I am still on my parent organization's payscale. Is that correct?

2. I am keen to look at IE Singapore or EDB as my next target. Would someone be so kind as to let me know what is the grade structure and pay range in these 2 organizations? Are they the pay leader in the public sector and how do they compare within the industry?

Thank you.

Does anyone know in terms of culture are thre any difference between ministry and stat board?

Also do the stat board also have CEP concept? I am now in MHA and thinking of going to DSTA, are they also scholar-based culture?