Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
So much like the private sector.
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No, not like the private sector. There's much more movement in the private sector, and almost all positions are filled externally.
I've worked closely with about 15-20 people in my profession. Most work 2-5 years at a given company then move on. If I quit or lost my job tomorrow, I'd be able to tap that network for opportunities. But I wouldn't have a problem getting interviews at companies where I didn't know anyone either, just based on my experience.
That's not the case with the government. I don't know a single person in my network who works in government (though stats show a great many people in my profession do). I rarely see postings. And even if I did apply for a position, I doubt I'd get an interview, even if I met all the qualifications. This has been the experience of my friends in the field too.
There are essentially two job ecosystems: one with dozens of private companies that people move between frequently; and the government ecosystem (which you could break down to the three levels of government). There's very little movement between those two ecosystems. At least in my profession.