Marketing and career strategist Sue Parker: Even talented professionals and leaders can become trapped in a cycle of inaction. Photo: Sue Parker.
In 2025, public sector leaders and professionals need to address a critical question as they navigate the complexities of job and career change: do you have a validation or transformation mindset?
While this may seem a strange question, its implications can significantly impact job search wellbeing and success in the public sector.
And given we all face a federal election this year (and a state election if you’re in WA), the unpredictability of government departments and hiring will swing. Shifts in leadership can create instability within departments, affecting job security and career trajectories.
The emotional toll of a job search is undeniable, particularly in a landscape where bureaucracy often stifles innovation.
Even highly accomplished public sector leaders with impressive track records and strong relationships can experience paralysis and procrastination. It is all too common to see talented professionals and leaders trapped in a cycle of inaction.
Many individuals fall into two distinct groups:
- Seeking Comfort: These individuals’ desire affirmation and validation, often focusing on external factors for their job search struggles.
- Seeking Action: This group is ready to embrace transformation, actively seeking feedback and taking steps to move forward.
Overcoming the constraints of a validation mindset
In the public sector, seeking validation can lead to stagnation, resulting in:
- Endless research without action: Many professionals immerse themselves in countless articles, webinars and resources, yet remain paralysed by information overload, failing to implement what they’ve learned.
Tip: Choose one strategy and take immediate action. Update your LinkedIn profile, refine your resume, or practise an interview response. Small, decisive steps can create momentum.
- Cycle of complaining: When faced with challenges, it’s easy to blame external factors, allowing self-doubt to creep in and hinder progress.
Tip: Shift your mindset from feeling powerless to recognising your value as a capable partner in your job search. While biases, including ageism, exist, focusing on what you can control enhances your creativity and problem-solving abilities.
- Waiting for the ‘Right Time’: Many professionals convince themselves that the timing isn’t right, postponing their job search for various reasons, including market conditions, geopolitical issues and project completion.
Many will also hide behind the ‘not enough time’ excuse. Make no mistake, you make time for what is really important.
Tip: Understand that there’s no perfect time to make a move. Prioritise your time goals, delegate tasks and adopt a kinder approach to your journey.
- Resistance to feedback: Professionals often seek reassurance that their application materials are satisfactory, resisting change out of fear.
Tip: Reflect on what truly holds you back and remain open to new approaches. Confidence builds through consistent, incremental progress.
How a transformation mindset amplifies success
By committing to transformation, public sector professionals can shift from passive frustration to proactive self-leadership. This shift involves:
- Unshakable self-awareness: Presenting your expertise with clarity, conviction, and authority.
- Action not excuses: Adopt a solutions-focused mindset, always looking for ways to move forward despite obstacles.
- Strategic adaptability: Embracing feedback and refining your approach, recognising that growth comes from evolution rather than stagnation.
- High impact broad networks: Engaging in purposeful conversations instead of waiting for opportunities to arise. Reduced focus on job board applications.
- Distinctive Career Brand: Creating a powerful narrative that showcases your unique contributions, authority and distinctive achievements in your field of expertise (note especially LinkedIn)
- Accelerated consistency: Committed and consistent strategic actions lead to more opportunities, stronger connections, and a shorter job search duration.
Embracing a transformation mindset
To thrive in the public sector job search landscape, adopt a transformation-focused mindset.
A shift from seeking external validation to pursuing genuine transformation will have measureable success. Remember, your unique value and contributions are irreplaceable. Embrace your journey knowing that no one brings your experience and perspective to the table quite like you do.
Sue Parker is the owner of DARE Group Australia and a communications, job search and career specialist working with both public and private sector clients.
