Getting a government job: Is it worth it?

Getting a government job is not the easiest of task. With so much of competition and limited vacancies, everyone is looking eye to eye to get that much coveted government job. But is it totally worth the efforts? Let us examine.

Many of us have aspired to become a government officer while growing up. Although not the most glamorous of jobs, these are certainly the most sought after. Students spend years of their life, even after graduating, preparing for the various public sector exams. Some are so obsessed with these jobs that they do not give up until either they succeed or exhaust all of their attempts.  But is this obsession justified or is it just a false sense of pride that makes people blind to other equally bright career opportunities in favour of government sector employment options? To know this we must understand the benefits that a public sector job provides and compare that with the various shortcomings associated with such jobs.

Advantages

Stability

This is what most people consider the single most important benefit of holding an office in the government. While in the private sector the number of employment opportunities keep on fluctuating based on the current economic scenario there is no such phenomenon in the public sector. A private sector company can run out of business and those are the times when even the brightest of employees are shown the door. However, government never runs out of work and therefore, it will always require employees. Whether you work for the local, the state or the federal government, you will rarely witness a layoff owing to any possible reason. This is why a government job is considered the most secure of jobs available.

Flexible & Stress free

Since government officers do not have any boss or manger waiting to give them a lecture on every single pretext, they are at much more ease and can enjoy a better and flexible work schedule than their corporate counterparts. Being employed in government also generally keeps the morale and confidence high of the employee and hence no stress effects are experienced, unlike the private sector where stress levels are quite high. Workers are able to maintain a healthy work-life balance without putting too much of efforts.

Perks

The perks that a government employee enjoys are the envy of every other sector. A government servant always has superior savings than a private counterpart since most of the vital needs like housing, food, healthcare are taken care of by the government itself. With better savings one is invariably at a superior position and is able to plan life in a better way. Whether it is providing various consumer durables at a highly subsidized rate or offering favourable retirement plans, a government job becomes all the more lucrative when it comes to benefits other than the compensation.

Holidays

Private sector is quite frugal when it comes to creating an annual holiday calendar, providing days off for only the most important national events, and leaving out many others. On the other hand, the government is known for its generosity in creating a holiday calendar that covers even the local events. In addition, the government also provides extra time off for vacations while getting approved a weekend getaway is alone a tough task in private companies.

Banes of a government job

Salary growth is slow

Government employees biggest gripe is with the salaries that they are given which is often peanuts when compared to their corporate siblings having the same work experience. The problem is compounded further as with time the cost-of-living increases and the government fails to keep up with rising inflation. Getting rich while working for the government is a tough task. The most you can expect is a comfortable life without any bling. This is the reason that budgeting the entire month’s spending is something that a government employee does better than any other person.

Lack of motivation

When there is no impending fear of losing a job or getting a reprimand from the boss, an employee loses the motivation and embraces the comfort of the job, working in the same position for 10 years or so without even considering whether he is doing justice to his talent or qualification. The same rote of a government job can zap out the energy and promises that the employee had as a fresh college graduate, turning him into another big bellied lazy employee.

Lack of control

Bureaucracy affects government employees as much as it affects the general population. With no control whatsoever over the policies and processes, even those government employees who want to work efficiently and change the system for good are stuck in the never ending vicious cycle of a government approval and rejection.

After considering all these benefits and perils of a government job, the answer to the question that the title of the post asks, is better left to your wisdom. Based on your circumstances and aspirations you should make the decision.

Author Bio:-

Saurabh Tyagi is a career counsellor with expertise in government sector jobs. He keeps himself updated on the various developments in the recruitment sector and advises people on the same.