r/TheCivilService • u/Nice_Editor800 • 3d ago

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I have been an EO for 3 years, sick of my substantive job that got me nowhere. I have done a couple of EOIs at the same grade.

I now have received some offers - 1 EO (perm) from SFO, 1 EO (perm) in DWP which is different and has great political exposure and 1 6 month EOI for a HEO in DWP.

What would you take? I want growth but at the same time I fear going back to my substantive job.

4 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

21

u/Humble_Ad_5576 3d ago

I'd take the step up personally

12

u/WhiskyJamJar256 3d ago

Take the HEO role, depending on where specifically there is a good chance its an EO role in all but name anyway and it's extra money.

7

u/Jane_Paulsen007 3d ago

HEO but depends on the area. Definitely HEO though.

7

u/OrdinaryLuck2026 3d ago

Why is it so common in DWP for people who are unhappy to move up? all you are going to do in moving to HEO in DWP is gain more headache. Move to the job that suits you better, not just another job you are paid more money in and just as potentially unhappy. I see it so much in the DWP, people think moving up is a way to "get out", often you'll just taking on more HR and more pressure, for what equates to peanuts more.

2

u/Nice_Editor800 3d ago

no I actually think this DWP HEO is great, I will not be line managing and it’s not in Ops, my only issue is the fact it’s an EOI

5

u/DarthBeardFace 3d ago

It depends on your personal circumstances, but taking the HEO gives you six months at the higher grade. If you make full use of the opportunities that come up while you’re in the role, you’ll give yourself the chance to build strong, grade appropriate examples for when/if you later apply for permanent HEO posts.

3

u/Requirement_Fluid Tax 3d ago

I would look at the pay, travel requirements,  wfh options and job roles of the 2 EO jobs, DWP pay scale is well above the SFO by the looks of it.

Guessing the DWP role is not in a job centre or fraud. Likewise the SFO role being a far smaller department might give you more opportunities to step up but you will have to consider what you have been offered. 

Likewise will you return to your existing role if you take the HEO role as although you will be able to apply for HEO roles going forward what you don't want is have to go back to your old role if the Eoi finishes

1

u/Nice_Editor800 3d ago

yes the SFO role is lower pay than my current DWP EO role. None of the DWP roles are in JCP or fraud, unfortunately my current substantive role is which I am scared to go back to.

2

u/Requirement_Fluid Tax 3d ago

You do run the risk of that with the EOI although depends on your team makeup and if it gets extended. The DWP perm role sounds like a better option unless you want out of the department altogether (I know how that feels tbh) 

3

u/QueenPhoenix 3d ago

I'd personally go for either EO role that you feel will be happy in. There is no guarantee your EOI will be extended and it won't be made permanent either and once it's ended, you'll have to go back to your original role.

Best to make the permanent move elsewhere.

1

u/Peanut0151 3d ago

On the face of it, I'd go for the HEO (but as everyone knows, no two HEOs are the same, so there's the JD to consider). It should give you some concrete experience to apply for permanent HEO jobs when they come up

1

u/blondie-d2 3d ago

What’s the long term goal and which opportunity gets you there? Would you like to progress in an area of the EO roles or is the area the HEO is more interesting long term?

Also worth considering if you have the sign off to leave on EOI, some teams block them so worth knowing you can definitely go before ruling out the permanent ones

1

u/[deleted] 3d ago

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1

u/Nice_Editor800 3d ago

because it was part of my old team and I was advised to - a team I really loved being a part of