Career Dilemma - What to Do ?

curious101 on 07/11/2023 - 22:00
Last edited 08/11/2023 - 00:05 by 1 other user

Hi All,

I work at a Uni as a Team Lead and was recently successful in Coordinator role at local council. Although the titles are a bit different, roles are the same, pay is almost same.

My question are:

For future career growth, do different organisations look better on resume, or a single organisation is better? I have worked at the Uni all my working life (12 years). And would title Coordinator look much better than team lead

  • At my place, people sometimes have made the joke about how many workers it takes at council to do something basic (alluding to how inefficient things are at council, sample image). I am worried that if I try to get into private industry or other government roles, sometime in future, there would be a negative perception. Is this a widespread notion (council is laid-back), or is it something limited to my workplace only?

Thank you for taking out time.

Education & Work

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 07/11/2023 - 22:05
    +2

    sample image below

    Classic government worker already. Adding the image below tomorrow to give them something to do.

  • sumyungguy on 07/11/2023 - 22:10
    +4

    WIth your higher ed employer paying 17% super, is your new salary compensating for what I expect may be a lower contribution?

    • curious101 on 07/11/2023 - 22:23

      yeah, super contribution is lower, but salary is same.

      • sumyungguy on 07/11/2023 - 22:32
        +5

        Not worth taking a pay cut for a different title.

        • curious101 on 07/11/2023 - 22:49

          Sorry, I didn't explain it well.

          Council - 119K with super. (More cash in bank)
          Uni - 122K with super. (More cash in super)

          More curious to know if in future it would look better to have experiences at various organisations ? Coordinator title would be better than team lead.

          • sumyungguy on 07/11/2023 - 23:02

            @curious101: I'd say the most important thing is to be good at your job, so you'll present well at interview and get good references from your managers. A reason to get multi-organisation experience might be to broaden your skill set.

  • Stopback on 07/11/2023 - 22:32
    +1

    Councils are slower, but ah it's because most workers are multitasking

    In corporate lots of people just do one role and focus on one task

    Honestly the need to prove your role is meaningful is the time taking task

  • Hardlyworkin on 07/11/2023 - 23:08
    +1

    Ask the uni for a 12 month secondment. Take the council job, if it doesn't work out come back to the uni or move in somewhere else.

    • curious101 on 07/11/2023 - 23:40

      Thanks for that, that's a great idea. Didn't even think of that.

  • bobbified on 07/11/2023 - 23:48
    +1

    Is this a widespread notion (council is laid-back), or is it something limited to my workplace only ?

    Government roles are known to be more laid back. Hence the reason there are so many "lifers" in the roles. "Lifers" being people who have been there all their life.
    I've worked in the government sector previously and I often wondered in my head "how would these people survive outside in the private sector?"

    • curious101 on 07/11/2023 - 23:53

      In your opinion, if you had to hire someone for a senior role, would you prefer someone who has worked at various places ? And would a title make a difference - Coordinator or Team Lead; or both of these factors have a negligible impact on your decision.

      • bobbified on 08/11/2023 - 00:04

        I would prefer someone that has worked at a few places. But at least a few years at each place rather than 'six months here and six months there'. At least some private sector is preferable. The most preferable (not necessarily my own preference, but more an industry preference in general) are those who have spent a lot of time in the consulting environment because they get worked like dogs and they've experienced a whole range of different companies in that line of work. Having a variety of experiences says a lot about flexibility and adaptability.

        I personally think that it's good to have a variety of experience anyway - even if it's just for yourself. You get to see how other companies operate and also deal with a whole range of different people.

        In terms of title, it depends on what type of "coordinator" or "team lead" you have been. The word "Lead" does sound better on your resume, but in an interview, they'll probably ask you questions to understand your experience anyway.

        Edit: The co-ordinator role at a council is kind of in between an "assistant manager" and "team lead" type role, isn't it?

        • curious101 on 08/11/2023 - 00:58

          Yeah, it is. In terms of direct reports, both current and this coordinator have about the same number (10 people).

          Thank you so much, that's a great perspective.

        • elgrande on 08/11/2023 - 07:38
          +2

          are those who have spent a lot of time in the consulting environment

          Yeah if you would like somone who can talk shite and not actually deliver anything.

          • bobbified on 08/11/2023 - 10:14

            @elgrande: Yes, there are those too. Some of them are just fluff.

            But credit where credit is due and I've got to say that most of them come into a new environment on an SOW with clear deliverables and they often have no choice other than hit the ground running.

            To be able charge 7 hours each day often means that they're working much longer. Sometimes, even I feel bad watching them go - especially the juniors who are just thrown into the deep end and told to swim.

    • AustriaBargain on 08/11/2023 - 09:57

      I'd say government work reflects more how people should and how people like to work. Check out Historia Civilis's video on the history of work. Use to be much more relaxed before The Man came along https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvk_XylEmLo&t=5s

      • bobbified on 08/11/2023 - 10:44

        I'd say government work reflects more how people should and how people like to work.

        I'm not arguing how people should or like to work theoretically. Because the reality of it is, if you don't want to work (because it's too hectic in the private sector or whatever reason), there are plenty of other people who will want to.

        • AustriaBargain on 08/11/2023 - 10:48

          I've seen some private businesses where everyone works at a gentle pace. It means the product and service costs more for the end customer, but I kind of like it anyway. Paying just a few percent more for something so dozens of people can work at a relaxed pace is kinda cool. Especially when they are employing adults and not teenagers who have the energy to stress their bodies every day to work a breakneck pace.

          • bobbified on 08/11/2023 - 13:40

            @AustriaBargain: I'm not sure what kind of private business you're referring to, but I can't see a business lasting very long if it was run at a "gentle pace" as you describe. Clients are not willing to pay a higher price and wait longer for something to be done. In business, time is money.

            • AustriaBargain on 08/11/2023 - 14:01

              @bobbified: Well I guess there's your business niche. Find a business where the workers aren't working flat out, where everyone seems relaxed. Then set up an identical business next door but ride your workers hard. Put them out of business. Sounds easy.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 07/11/2023 - 23:49
    +2

    One day you'll leave this world behind, so live a life that you will remember ——- said the late Avicii

    • bobbified on 07/11/2023 - 23:51
      +1

      said the late Avicii

      That was his father.. 😋

    • AlienC on 08/11/2023 - 09:02

      hey brother

  • garetz on 08/11/2023 - 03:49
    +1

    You will have better job security at a uni than a council, plus better the devil you know. Who knows if the council will keep you around, especially if the management don't end up getting along with you. Just to get a different role on your resume seems ludicrous. If there is a risk in getting a new role, you want an equivalent reward of at least 15% bump in pay.

  • BillyStm on 08/11/2023 - 06:47

    Can you ask the uni for a change in title (maybe even an opportunity for a remuneration review) to the coordinator if that means a lot to you.
    From my standpoint titles can vary that differently between businesses that in this day and age it would come down to the strength of ones CV/Interview for any positions.

    • curious101 on 08/11/2023 - 13:11

      Thank you, yes, another angle to explore.

  • toniyellow on 08/11/2023 - 07:29

    Make sure you compare all aspects of the EBA for both.

    e.g. universities typically offer leave loading, and concessional leave in the summer. councils often have RDOs.

    universities typically offer higher than the legal minimum sick/personal leave - if you've worked there 12 years you may have accrued a sizeable amount. doesn't seem worth much when you are healthy but worth taking into account especially when reviewing your income protection insurance

    If you're past 10 years you're also able to access long service leave and accruing more each year.

    The Council offer doesn't seem different enough in title or salary to be tempting unless you have other pressures like a change in boss or commute

    • curious101 on 08/11/2023 - 13:12

      None of the other reasons too, but would appreciate a change of scenery, new people, I guess.

  • jellykingdom on 08/11/2023 - 08:58

    Honestly, as long as you're not taking the piss, you can slightly alter your title on your resume to serve your purpose. My technical title is "Senior XYZ Engineer" but i always write "XYZ Engineering Team Leader" because that's what my actual job function is. But i wouldn't call yourself "Engineering Systems CEO" for e.g or something actually lying!

    Plenty of people from councils go onto other jobs, I don't think its exactly frowned upon to have worked there

    • curious101 on 08/11/2023 - 13:13

      Thank you. I am scared to change the title a bit, because during reference checks, it gets asked frequently and uni's website shows that information publically, so want to play it safe.

      • jellykingdom on 08/11/2023 - 15:51

        Well look i figure that a lot of recruitment gets done (first pass) via bots, which will screen in/out certain things. If you want roles with a certain title, I don't think there's a huge issue with tailoring the title. Maybe just make sure you have those key words in the CV

      • sumyungguy on 08/11/2023 - 15:59

        Consider LinkedIn best practice is to put your real title first then add all the industry equivalents separated with a vertical bar: e.g.
        Team Leader | {insert speciality} Coordinator | {insert specialty} Supervisor

  • AlienC on 08/11/2023 - 09:06
    +1

    I think it looks better when you have been in many roles for a good period of time.

    To me it shows that person is versatile and has a lot of knowledge and experience.

    But having said that I guess if you single role a pretty decent area then it just shoehorns you into looking like a specialist single role kind of person.

    Other silly question but which job has better commute times and lunch options :P

    • curious101 on 08/11/2023 - 13:15

      Not sure, what you mean by lunch options.

      Uni is like 15 mins walk, and 5 min drive (I built my house very close to uni). Council job is like 20 mins drive to the city.

  • JimmyF on 08/11/2023 - 09:13

    For future career growth, do different organisations look better on resume, or a single organisation is better?

    Most council staff I've ever dealt with are useless…… So not sure you want to attach that to your working career.

    • curious101 on 08/11/2023 - 13:23

      Could you please tell, where you hire ? So I can avoid time and effort, in applying :P. But thank you, I wanted to seek the public opinion, I respect your stance.

      • JimmyF on 08/11/2023 - 14:32

        Love your comments because you don't like my view of the council staff after you got the job! LOL you'll fit in great!

        You do what you want then. But out of most people I've ever spoken to around councils and their usefulness they all say the staff are near useless and slow to do anything. Always a reason it isn't their issue.

        So if the general public has a view of this, when I'm hiring I look at peoples history to see if they have worked for 'decent' companies. Councils are normally a red flag, as most people don't leave because its too easy and they protect their own.

      • JimmyF on 08/11/2023 - 21:59

        Anyhow, here is a thread on councils, have a read about the peoples 'views' on them.

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/810257

  • jellykingdom on 08/11/2023 - 15:56
    +1

    As a person who has some experience in hiring (not heaps, but i've hired maybe 6 people total?) you should make sure your CV is as good as it can be. And the one common complaint I have with other people's CVs is having too much info on RESPONSIBILITIES and not enough on ACHIEVEMENTS.

    I don't really care that you (and every other person with similar job title) are "responsible for worker safety, reviewing Job Safety Packs, etc". That is just a basic requirement of the role, and doesn't separate you from any other candidate

    I want to know that you "After reviewing job safety packs and identifying common gaps, developed new procedure, put forward proposal to management for improved blah blah blah". As an example. Don't get too hung up on SMART goals, because not everything is entirely quantifiable with numbers and dates

    That way, you kinda avoid some of your worry about council roles being frowned upon by highlighting what you've done in the role

    • curious101 on 09/11/2023 - 01:56

      Thank you. Grateful.

  • mskeggs on 08/11/2023 - 17:11
    +1

    Always amusing to me that public sector gets hung up on job titles.
    If you have 10 direct reports, you would be a manager in any private sector company, a coordinator is an admin person with no staff and a team lead is usually the more experienced person in a team of 4 or 5 who provides a bit of help to a manager.

    Shift to a small business and give yourself the title global vice president of operations or something equally grand (and silly).

    • curious101 on 09/11/2023 - 07:52

      Couldn't agree more.

      In public sector, where it can take years to get smallest things done and sometimes, to get that title while doing the same job, title matters a lot. It's hard to get people to change their opinions, so I don't want to take too many uphill battles. But extremely grateful for you insights.

      Thanks a ton

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