Pros
- good people to work with - great for graduates / apprentices or those working in HO development schemes - very respectful of family / caring commitments and flexible working arrangements - great for those who are strong at self-promotion Recommend to graduates, apprentices, those nearing retirement, those planning children in the short term or those who are outspoken, can shamelessly self-promote getting in there with the privately educated old boys club that is very much present the higher you go.
Cons
Working in the Civil service was near career suicide for me. Senior leaders are often out of touch with what happens on the ground, don't 'actually' listen to their staff, are very, very much about self preservation and never seem to have a clear vision. I've worked with some fantastic people, with great backgrounds and high levels of integrity who will never, ever have a shot at senior leadership positions because they don't 'talk the talk', and they care too much about their staff and the meeting the true needs of the public.