The truth about civil servants

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TAKING the civil servant examination is common at universities all over the country. Among the 1 million who registered for the exam this year, a large number of the candidates competing for the 13,566 posts are students.

With almost 6 million students set to graduate in 2009, and with the financial crisis worsening around the globe, many are starting to feel the pressure.

“The reason why so many students choose civil service for a career is obvious,” said Hao Jian, senior HR manager of the human resources website .

“Firstly, during this crisis, a job as a civil servant can offer a stable income without having to worry about losing your job, like those who work as brokers.

“Secondly, it’s a good start to a student’s career path. Based on their job, civil servants have the opportunity to network with people throughout society. If a civil servant quits his government job to pursue other business, he immediately has an edge over his competitors,” said Hao.

In fact, students’ entrance into the civil service system provides benefits not just to the students themselves, but also to the country, according to Hao.

“Freshly graduated students have a great sense of justice and social responsibility, which brings higher efficiency and transparency to the civil service system.”

Chen Wei, a graduating student from Renmin University of China, is one of many who are aiming for a job as a civil servant.

“Taking the civil servant exam is my priority. The job is stable. Pay and welfare are good. You don’t have to work under great pressure. In a period of recession, there are not many good jobs. The civil service sector seems a perfect area to work in,” said Chen.

However, how much do students really know about these government jobs? 21st Century talked with some insiders to unveil four common myths about civil service.

Myth I: The pay is good. The welfare is great. There are lots of perks.

Gao Xiang, 25
A civil service clerk from Beijing
“My monthly salary isn’t great, but it’s enough to make a decent living in Beijing. We have various welfare, including regular holiday allowance for festivals and some free travel. But most importantly of all, I benefit from a favorable housing policy which allows me to buy an apartment at a comparatively low price in Beijing. It will save me a lot of money.”

Chen Xiao, 25
A civil service clerk in Zhongjiang county, Sichuan Province
“Civil servants in rural areas don’t have as good welfare as those in big cities. My monthly income is only 600 yuan. Our county is one of the poorest counties in the country, so we have lots of fiscal problems. Despite talk of civil servant income reform, our pay has stayed the same.”

Myth II: Government jobs are easy to do. Civil servants are pressure-free.

Liu Minmin, 25
A clerk at a security administration in Shanghai
“My job is kind of easy, and I have little pressure placed on me. There is not much paperwork, and when I finish my work in the office I am totally free. Some of my friends have to work a lot of overtime, and they cannot even have a nice weekend without thinking about work.”

Chen Jia, 24
A clerk working in the food quality control area in Qinghai Province
“Not all the jobs of civil servants’ are easy ones. My job is quite hard, because we have to travel around to monitor and investigate factories, especially after the tainted milk incident. We work under great pressure and have numerous monthly and annual objectives. But the hardship is balanced by the security the job gives me.”

Myth III: The job is very stable. You never worry about being laid off.

Li Shan, 25
A civil service clerk in Guangdong Province
“Yes, the job makes me feel safe. Some of my old classmates have become unemployed due to the financial crisis. I don’t feel the impact of the crisis at all sitting in my office. I think I am going to hold this job for life.”

Peng Jianjun, 25
A clerk working in a community service center in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
“I don’t think any kind of job will last forever. Now I read a lot and learn new things in my spare time. I actively develop my social network. Maybe one day, if I have an opportunity to do another job, I can make a difference in my life.”

Myth IV: Inter-personal relationships are important. You must handle office politics well because it is even more important than doing a good job.

Jiang Yumin, 27
A civil service clerk from Wuhan, Hubei Province
“Of course, inter-personal relations are complicated. At school, students share similar values. But here in the office, some leaders are the age of my father. I have to deal with people from all walks of life. But don’t be too frightened by this complication. In other workplaces, it’s the same. To survive in this sector, all you need to do is respect others.”

Liang Chao, 28
A clerk from Hainan Province
“I am not satisfied with my current job. In the office, individuality isn’t appreciated. I have to do everything in accordance with my supervisor’s order. And I am always cautious about every word I say. Being a civil servant is tiresome for me.”

生词：
ace 考试成绩为A
broker 股票经纪人
perk 额外的好处
recession 不景气
taint 污染

BONUS
Expressions
If you want to be a good civil servant, you'd better be
discreet (行动等方面)谨慎的
dutiful 尽职的
expressive 善于表达的
humble 恭顺的
knowledgeable 有见识的
orderly 守纪律的
painstaking 辛勤的
sociable 好交际的
sporting 光明正大的
steady 塌实的
trustworthy 值得信任的
upright 正直的


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