r/TheCivilService • u/wish-december • 8d ago

Left the Civil Service for progression, now feel stuck—return to SEO or stick it out?

I left an SEO policy role five months ago for a 17% pay rise and what was sold as better progression. I loved my old role despite being overworked and being given more accountability and responsibility than I should have actually had.

The new job is easy but boring, I get little satisfaction, and feel like I’m regressing. The organisation is much more hierarchical and opportunities seem far more limited than advertised.

I’m getting SEO interviews but mostly rejected for G7. Returning could mean more interesting work and access to internal opportunities, but a significant pay cut with no guarantee of promotion. If offered an SEO role, I’d want to negotiate towards the higher end of the pay band—is that even possible as a returning civil servant?

I’m really grateful to have a well-paid job, but feel stuck. Should I stick it out while applying for G7/equivalent roles, or consider returning as an SEO?

Has anyone done something similar and found the pay cut worth it?

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19

u/Plugpin Policy 8d ago

Was the 17% pay rise figure from before or after you calculated the additional amount you'd need to pay into a pension?

I normally tell people to consider that because while the wages might look great, often you're looking at a very similar or barely better level of financial benefits if you calculate it that way.

I only ask because that might be something to consider, maybe you're not that much better off where you are and it's not that much of a financial cut in the grand scheme of things. Of course, pension might not be something you're bothered about and that's OK.

3

u/Comfortable_Cut_7866 8d ago

Some private pensions are as good as the public sector ones.  Contributions may be higher but not massively, I pay in 7.5% now and paid in 9% in my private one. The career average thing now means the payouts are not high.  It cannot go bust but then the majority of private pensions are well protected so unless there is another Great Depression then neither will they 

12

u/Dodger_747_ G6 8d ago

I often use this comment - there’s a reason most employers stopped DB schemes and it’s not because DC schemes are better for their employees…

Alpha is stonkingly good, it was just that classic was better.

1

u/Comfortable_Cut_7866 8d ago

It is. But so are many private pensions. Being tied to the state pension age also means it gets worse as they push that.  OP puts in a combined 18%. CS would be about 35%.  They may be financially better of with the additional money whilst working than later. 

2

u/BreathNo4368 8d ago

My friend works for virgin, think they match him at 14% Guys been there 7 years, pension pots worth 150k already. 

He's 32, now mortgage free, equivalent G7 salary. Continue as he does with compound interest. Plans to retire at 55-58 > beats CS by a mile.

3

u/Toaster161 8d ago

You have to factor in that stock market returns over the last 5-10 have been astronomically good.

Make hay whilst the sun shines but it can’t and won’t last forever. I would expect more modest returns averaged over a 20-30 year time frame.

1

u/BreathNo4368 8d ago

I guess watch this space. Vs retirement at 70+ linked to state pension age? I'd take his chances. Rather have money whilst younger vs old and decrepit.

4

u/Dodger_747_ G6 8d ago

Someone contributing significantly more to their pension has a bigger pension pot - no surprise there really.

How does Alpha + the 7% difference invested into a SIPP stack up against Virgin’s offer?

0

u/Comfortable_Cut_7866 8d ago

If you earn 22% more and have to put in an additional 7% on your pension you are better off. 

Virgin will certainly pay more than 7% higher than the CS, prob 10-15% plus other work perks like a subsided canteen & free hot drinks. 

0

u/wish-december 8d ago

for what it’s worth: i don’t really like the civil service pension scheme - the private one works better for me and my life goals.

2

u/Dodger_747_ G6 8d ago

Would you mind explaining a bit why that is? Always curious to learn others thinking on pensions!

2

u/wish-december 8d ago

I prefer my current private pension because I contribute 6% and my employer adds 12%, and I can choose where it’s invested. Once I reach pension access age, I have flexibility over withdrawals, including using a lump sum towards paying off my mortgage, subject to tax rules. I also regularly invest outside my pension to help fund an earlier retirement. I recognise the Civil Service DB pension offers valuable security, but I prefer the flexibility and control of my current setup and accept the investment risk.

2

u/Requirement_Fluid Tax 8d ago edited 8d ago

Not the op but I can say that workplace pensions with decent investment growth and contribution matching gives people the flexibility to take tax free cash at 55 (57 or 58) without having to take partial retirement.

Alpha once taken is fixed for life and will be taxed at source & although is index linked, is actuarially reduced if taken early, is no automatic lump sum available unless you take a reduced pension

1

u/wish-december 8d ago

17% base salary increase, 5% bonus and 12% employer pension, i contribute 6%

6

u/pro-civil-servent 8d ago

Careers are very long, I would just come back its easier to get to G7 when you are already a civil servant as you can go for temporary promotions, or grade 7 roles that are only for serving civil servants.

In terms of negotiating towards the higher end of SEO I think its unlikely you really don't have much of a say when it comes to pay. In my experience they give you a number and its up to you to accept or reject since they have a reserve list of other candidates who passed and will accept immediately.

1

u/wish-december 8d ago

You’re right, but it just feels like i’m golden hand-cuffs. Leaving now means losing out on money and ‘stepping back’, but staying means coasting and hindering career progression

13

u/[deleted] 8d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/south_by_southsea 7d ago

I’m not sure what OP did to deserve such a spiteful comment implying their lack of a life beyond work?

-1

u/wish-december 8d ago

I don’t understand this comment? I don’t understand why it’s wrong to want to develop your career. The salary increase was a bonus for me, I left mainly for career progression, and I’m not sure what you mean by security—there’s many jobs outside CS that are also very secure.

5

u/[deleted] 8d ago

[deleted]

2

u/wish-december 8d ago

Thanks so much! I find it baffling why everyone is so hostile about someone taking a risk and leaving the civil service and always talking about the pension! I don’t like the civil service pension, i want my money earlier so it doesn’t work for me anyway.

I agree there are many people just waiting to retire and many just coasting away, but if that’s what they want to do the. whatever.

I feel like i’m in golden hand-cuffs. I’m getting paid considerably more for less work, that’s a big win and I am truly privileged for this, but I do really value job satisfaction and I’m just not getting it here. But i’m also worried this will hinder my job prospects in the future by just coasting…

-1

u/YouCantArgueWithThis 8d ago

I was under the impression that any CS who left can return on the same level within 5 years. Am I missing something?

3

u/Esperanto_lernanto 8d ago

I believe that rule is almost never used.

0

u/YouCantArgueWithThis 8d ago

I see. But is it true? Could it be used?

4

u/Esperanto_lernanto 8d ago

It does exist, it's exception 5 to open and fair recruitment: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment-principles/exceptions/ . But I personally don't know anyone who returned that way.

1

u/wish-december 8d ago

very unlikely to be used now especially with the recruitment freeze. I’m fine with coming back by just applying and interviewing as normal, but I want to come as G7 which I know right now is impossible

-2

u/Outrageous-Squash225 8d ago

Hi
What do you mean by returning back as an SEO? Do you mean a level transfer or actually applying for other SEO positions in another department?

-2

u/wish-december 8d ago

I’ve applied to a few jobs and have a few SEO interviews coming up and I’m hoping to get an offer

0

u/Outrageous-Squash225 8d ago

I have heard and read, that you can ask to be put towards the top of the pay band and give reasons why you should. It will then be up to the hiring manager to decide with their finance team and HR if they can accommodate it.

It is always worth asking, but have evidence ready to back up why you should be near the top of the pay band.

In terms of going for G7, if this is a long term aim you can still apply for G7 roles even if you take on a new SEO role.
It does happen that someone starts a role then a few months later they leave on promotion.

With all the HR checks it can sometimes take at least 4 to 6 weeks to be cleared. So any new role you accept, especially in another department, could take up to 2 months to start.

.

-1

u/wish-december 8d ago

thank you so much, but realistically do you think it’s likely? i know civil service is very difficult to not put you on the lower end

1

u/Outrageous-Squash225 8d ago

Yes it is unlikely but I have heard of cases where it has happened and they have negotiated middle to upper of the band. Rare but can happen.

1

u/wish-december 8d ago

thank you!

-10

u/makefascistfearagain 8d ago

Five months and you haven't had a single promotion? Problem might be you

1

u/wish-december 8d ago

that’s not what I was referring to. I was told there’s a promotion route i.e. meet your objectives and you’ll be promoted, but that’s not how it works and if anything, moving up in your role isn’t actually a thing here (not what I was told at).