Crossing sectors in a permanent role... How easy is it really?
The concept of crossing sectors to explore different career possibilities is not a new one, however it is still one that incites uncertainty. How easy is it really?
Secondment is the temporary change of roles within the same company or between organisations and can be opportunistic; particularly if you like your current employer and have no desire to leave. However, the importance of maintaining an open mind toward all sectors is just as vital when moving across permanent roles, and can be even more beneficial to your skills-set, CV, and pay packet.
If you are considering secondment due to a lack of interest in your current role or are experiencing the itchy-feet syndrome, secondment is probably the wrong answer. If you are looking for a step up in your career it might be time to start thinking about securing your next permanent role instead. Secondments can be excellent in developing your career as you progress; they are not good at acting as a short-term fix to a longer-term problem.
The main hurdle candidates face in moving across sectors in permanent roles is either their own or future employers preoccupations of doubt. Potential candidates should be looking at what skills they actually have, rather than making assumptions about the employer's requirement for experience in their own particular sector.
The trick to moving across sectors when searching for a new permanent role is being able to fulfil the requirements of a person specification. These specifications will of course vary depending on the type and level of job.
One common misconception is that the transition from Public to Private sector is virtually impossible. While it certainly has its challenges, in the last few years we have seen it become a lot more viable. More updated training programmes in the Public sector mean candidates have access to training on vital business skills making them a lot more transferable. In fact making a move from Public to Private - and in some cases back again – is now considered likely to increase your chances of getting a higher grade position, a better paid role and generally make you a strong adversory against competing candidates who have not had such experience.
The Government needs finance staff that will bring finance issues to the table and influence decision makers at political/policy, and operational level. Employers look for a range of technical skills and competencies in areas such as communication, leadership, wider financial management, project management, people management, analysis and strategic thinking. If your previous experience adds weight to one or more of these areas it will help you develop within the PSG agenda, which is critical at Grade 7 and above in Central Government careers, and it really shouldn’t matter which sector you are coming from.
As a candidate moving across industry sectors, you are showing your potential employer evidence of your willingness and confidence in moving forward and grasping new responsibilities and career opportunities. It demonstrates your certainty in your skills, knowledge, and confidence in meeting and working with new people in a fresh environment. It is a great test of your adaptability as an employee, and spells good news for your CV.
As a recruitment company Hays strive to assist these moves. Visionary employers will look for competencies rather than industry knowledge. Recent moves have seen some of our candidates go from publishing to the charity sector, the housing sector to the banking sector, and Central government to the Private sector.
For more information about Hays Senior Finance, go to our senior finance jobs and qualified accountant jobs section.
Notes to Editor
Hays Senior Finance has been developed from Hays’s established Accountancy & Financebusiness to provide a specialist service for qualified accountants and recruiters. Hays has a national network of experienced Senior Finance consultants. Hays Senior Finance recruits qualifieds accountants across commerce and industry, financial services, practice firms, public services and not for profit organisations at all levels, up to finance directors and partners in practice firms.
Hays Senior Finance team is a subdivision of Hays Plc, the FTSE 250 Company which employs 7,753 staff operating from 376 offices in 25 countries across 17 specialisms. Hays Plc placed circa 68,000 candidates into permanent jobs and paid circa 46,000 temporary workers weekly during the year ending 30 June 07.
For further press information, please contact:
Sarah Swailes
PR Executive
Hays Senior Finance
e: sarah.swailes@hays.com
