usually they pick AOs from the batch of scholars who have been in service for about 4 to 6 years. to put it simply, you don't call them; they call you.

you can look it up on the admin service website.

just read in the papers today that there are only less than 300 AOs in the elite Administrative Service. since it's almost impossible for any of us be an AO ("you don't call them; they call you"), perhaps too much "air time" is given to these small group of people in this discussion forum.

I don't think it's impossible. It's just a very small likelihood that we can work towards achieving. If you're good enough, someday somebody will see it

mid career possible. but you must be already a gungho outside in the private sector. Nevertheless, you will be screen from PSLE to degree level. Every grades count.

AO though high pay, high stress too. If you like to dine with VIPs and never get indigestion, this is the right place for you..... :)

Pay of Assistant Director at one of the Ministry
 

I am just wondering what is the pay range for the post of Assistant Director at one of the Ministry. Is there a difference in pay for Assistant Director in Ministry as compared with Assistant Director in Stat. Board ? Since Stat. Board is under ministry.
Also the earlier post of AD getting 4-7k, may i know where to get this info frm?
Pls shed some light on this matter.

Thank you
Dude

This is a very difficult question to answer as guidelines for titles differ across Ministries and Stat Boards. 4k-7k is only a general estimate and not a catch-all.

Assistant director isn't very senior in the ministry. For some ministries, it's in fact an entry level title. So going by titles isn't very useful. But $4-7k range sounds about right. Usually ADs are more senior in stat boards as they don't suffer from title inflation.

Accelerated track?
 

If the AD is at entry-level and you are a scholar, does it mean the ministry is fast-tracking/ grooming you? What would this fast-track look like? Could someone shed some light on this?

If asst dir is just an entry level job title in some ministries... no special significance
however if u are a scholar, likely u will be groomed/fast tracked, regardless of your job title.

AD means diff things in diff ministries.

AD certainly isn't very big. There's DD (deputy director) between AD and D for most ministries.

But still AD is quite big shot in day to day ops, he/she runs the dept/division/branch etc on a day to day basis.

Much like a Captain isn't a very big shot in the whole scheme of ranks but the OC is pretty much boss in day to day affairs.

Anyway, digressed, it's more useful to compare pay of ranks (MX**) vs titles.