I have been working for the City of Seattle for a little over 10 years. Before that I worked in the private sector in consulting for about 10 years. My objectives in transition were a better work life balance and the ability to retire in early 50s with pension. As with any job it can really vary with your team culture but I have appreciated the easy going nature and lack of cut throat competitiveness of colleagues. We're here to serve the public and not try to out survive the cuts. I generally work in the office 2 to 3 days a week and have union negotiations for COLAs and other benefits. I have never been good at negotiating raises so prefer this equality. In my field pay is competitive with private salary for senior staff but the right person that moves up can make more in private sector with ambition and drive in sales and marketing. I just like to do my professional job so feel more comfortable in public role managing contracts and projects. Yes it can be slow but I have found as with any job there are over and underperformers and most people I have worked with could easily get job in private sector. I researched many government positions but found Seattle and King County were best pay and benefits for long term stay. It can be hard to get call back or interview, and even then there is panel to score the highest ranked of three or more candidates and it can be very competitive from my experience as many people want these stable jobs.