The private sector is a very different beast to the public sector, with a different focus on how they interact with clients, customers, suppliers and their staff.

If you are thinking of switching from the public sector to the private then the usual considerations of pay, job location, the fit with your career goals and the reputation of the potential employer are some of the issues that you'll be evaluating. These are the natural career considerations we all make.

But before you start this process you have to come to terms with the fact that there is still a significant cultural gulf between the two. Both have separate cultures, ideals, objectives and attitudes.

Dispelling the myths
Rightly or wrongly, there have always been differences in perception between the private and public sectors.

In reality these differences are based on outdated perceptions. Rewards at the top level in the public sector (and especially pensions) are equal to and more than many equivalent private sector jobs. Many high calibre people have found that in healthcare, social services, local authorities and skills development that there are both great rewards and great challenges.

Making the change, from public to private, therefore, can be about changing one's own perceptions first and foremost. Secondly, you need to be aware that whilst your focus is on delivering services in the public sector, in the private it is predominantly about profitability.

 A different focus
Whether in local authority, transport or the NHS, your public sector organisation will have powerful aims and a focus which, although not profit driven will be accountable at Governmental level.

For example typical aims of the relevant public sector bodies might be

• Cost-effective healthcare
• More affordable housing
• Greater responsibility in driving
• Fairer race relations
• Improved railway transport

The private sector is made up of commercial entities established by private individuals or organisations to enter the marketplace and sell products or services at a profit.

For example, a private house builder buys land and builds homes as quickly as possible to market and sell at a profit for its owners (or shareholders. The local authority wishes to build homes to cater purely for housing requirements for its local tenants.

Both have to find land and build cost effectively but to entirely different objectives

Making the move
 Both sectors can provide exhilarating and satisfying jobs, depending on what you want. There tends to be very little movement between the sectors.

In middle management, for example, a very small proportion were found to have worked in both the public and private sector even though their skills were transferable between the two.

Moving from public to private sector means you'll have to start thinking very much in the short term, from quarter to quarter.

Whilst your performance in the public sector is likely to be set against overall delivery of your department, in the private sector your performance is likely to be judged much more individually. This, is what is meant by 'more challenging' and if you are disposed towards overcoming a cultural barrier and even some misconceptions, then you could find the private sector provides ample opportunities and perhaps a few more challenges.