Sector switchers, what drives you? Exploring career shifts from private to public sector

Abstract

In the face of workforce shortages and transformation challenges, private-sector workers are valuable recruitment targets for public employers. However, little is still known about the drivers of career transitions across sectors. This study utilizes panel data from Germany to explore extrinsic, intrinsic, and prosocial values of private-to-public sector switchers vis-à-vis workers who change employers within the private sector. Based on more than 7,000 employer changes, the results suggest that, of the values studied, only prosocial values directed towards society as a whole, including civic values and political interest, increase the likelihood of switching to the public sector compared to switching employers within the private sector. These findings highlight proximity to politics as a unique selling point for public organizations targeting later-career entrants.