The Pros and Cons of Government Jobs

I am pretty sure few children have ever said I want to work for the government when I grow up. Yes, it's true; government jobs are not the most glamorous, but they have their good points. If you are considering a government job here are few pros and cons for working for the government.

Pro. Job Security is pretty much a given when you work for the government. When you read the business section of the paper or news websites these days, you are bound to see large companies gearing up for huge lay-offs across multiple industries. Regardless of whether you choose local, state, or federal government, you will rarely, if ever, face any type of lay off. Yet, security goes a step further. It's also hard to lose a government job.

Con. You won't get rich working for the government. If you climb high enough in the ranks of government jobs you will make enough to live comfortably. However, with a government job you probably won't buy a yacht anytime soon. If you are not at the top of the food chain, you will do ok. Although you may not have to worry about ends meeting, you may find yourself budgeting.

Pro. Government jobs are generally more flexible than regular corporate positions. The atmosphere is more relaxed. The concepts of telecommuting and of flex-time have become popular. There are jobs in many areas of government where you are able to set your own schedule and hours. The dress is often business casual and there is rarely competition between employees.

Con. Comfort can replace motivation. Most young adults come into government with a plan to move up or leave within a few years. Yet, many find themselves in the same position 10 years later. Government jobs allow you to get pretty comfortable; so, you slowly lose sight of your plan and motivation. You become complacent in the environment and you stop looking for other jobs.

The benefits could go either way. At one time, jobseekers preyed on government jobs just for the benefits. With things like tuition reimbursement, education leave, and other fringe benefits, government jobs were in high demand. Today, many government health plans are changing; costs are increasing for government employees and their families. The number of years required to retire with full healthcare coverage has increased. Meanwhile, the benefits of industry companies are matching and often topping that of the government.

Depending on your stage in life the things that are most important to you, a government job could be a great fit. However, if you are driven to be rich, you may want to look in a different direction.