Applying for jobs at a lower grade

Yazmina

I am an SEO in the Civil Service. For around 2.5 years I've been in a role that has grown successively smaller, so I've been applying for new roles. I've applied for around 40 jobs and I've had 11 interviews and one 'pre-screen'. I'm so fed up with my current role that I'm considering applying for HEO roles (one step down and around £5-6k pay cut).

The main problem is my ego. I always prided myself on moving from AO-to SEO over my career. I'm nearly 50 so I won't be making many more career moves. I'm married but failed to have any children so I could manage the pay cut. After so many applications and because of my life stage, I just want to move into something that I can stay in for a long time. If I go down to HEO I'll feel that I need to do a couple of years and then start applying to at least get back to SEO.

I've spoken to my manager and other managers about trying to expand my current role, but I got nowhere. They don't need me, but because it's the civil service they won't get rid of me.

Of the interviews I've had the feedback comes down to missing a little bit of detail. I might have been successful by now if I'd just said an extra sentence on 'how' I did something or who I worked with. I've mainly applied to other CS or NHS roles in my field (finance business partnering/management accounts). The private sector just seems to be full of short-term contracts, which I don't want.

I know some people will think 'what's the problem, you're still being paid?' but I'm not so old that I just want coast along until I'm 67. I still want to learn and do a good job. 😞

Woodstok2000

What's an SEO?

lincroft1710

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938589#Comment_81938589

Senior Executive Officer

lincroft1710

There's no guarantee you'd get job satisfaction as an HEO in another CS department, nor that you would easily get back to SEO. I would be wary of appointing a SEO to an HEO position as I am sure they would soon want to be looking for SEO positions.

Although now many years ago, I found with the CS that once you had reached a certain level, that was that, either stick it out or leave. Making 40 applications and having 11 unsuccessful interviews says there is something wrong somewhere (and it may not be you)

Worried_fool

Would some training help? Perhaps you could get an accountancy qualification, and move into a specialist position at a higher grade.

Yazmina

SEO is a middle management grade. I'm already fully qualified.

One application was rejected because there were too many applicants, so they raised the pass mark. I didn't make the second cut.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938763#Comment_81938763

An SEO being "middle management" very much depends on which bit of the CS you're in - in an agency, yes. In a central ministerial department.. less likely (sorry). I'd say a G7/G6 is middle management there.

Have you looked at career development programmes that might be available? If you're female there's crossing thresholds for example. Would your department fund training or study to give you another outlet? Where in the country are you based / looking?

Have you thought about applying for the fast stream as an internal candidate (I'm serious) or signing up for some of the mentoring programs available via Civil Service Live and other places

I would definitely advise that you don't try to drop to HEO, you'll need a very good reason why (the suspicion will be you'll move on quickly back to SEO) the pay cut also affects your pension... And you'll probably end up (more) frustrated.

strawb_shortcake

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938989#Comment_81938989

I'd second crossing thresholds, it's an excellent course.

Having been in the CS for almost 20 years, I've only seen a few people drop a grade and this is usually to do with lifestyle factors such as caring or health.

Whilst we do see some inconsistencies of workload and responsibilities at every grade, I think you may find a step down to not meet your needs and you'll still be unfulfilled.

I work in an agency and mentoring is a really big thing at the moment so I'd explore that or other development opportunities.

I once considered a job in the NHS, but for my circumstances the pension would have cost be an extra £100 a month and my pension would have been lower than staying in Alpha from very quick calculations.

Have you looked at level transfers, or speaking to colleagues to see if there is someone who may like to switch jobs? Our functional HR team are quite good at succession planning and assisting moves

Yazmina

Plenty of things to look at here. Is an agency HEO different? Crossing thresholds and pension calcs.

I have taken some advice from a mentor in a different department, who helped me improve my applications. Most of my applications have been SEO.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81939230#Comment_81939230

There is a big difference in spans of control - in a central department I have HEOs and SEOs who do a fair bit of admin, that in the past would have gone to EOs or AOs. There are vanishing few EOs and even fewer AOs in a central department, this is because of CS pay restraint which drives grade inflation of jobs, simply so pay can be offered that will fill those jobs. There is a huge leap though from SEO to G7 as a result.

I manage 1 SEO currently. The most I've ever managed in the CS is 3 people… in an Agency a SEO has a fair amount of clout, not so in a central Department.

I remember visiting an operational team that provided me data - I was an SEO at the time, and on a wet Tuesday it struck me that of the ~150 people in the room I was the most senior in grade terms. In contrast in the central office where I worked I was very junior at the same grade.

If you want real challenge, then perhaps it is time to apply for a G7 in a central department.

Yazmina

That would be a significant challenge seeing as I'm struggling at SEO level. I applied for a G7 once and it was one of the fastest rejections I've received. But yes, it was only one...

Are all the job losses and short term contracts in the private sector having an impact on CS jobs? Does it come down to just far more competition?