While working in government may not always be as lucrative or as glamorous as working in the private sector, the civil service remains a popular alternative for job seekers. 

Like in many jobs, the candidates must pass a series of tests. But unlike in the private sector, the civil servant enrollment test is held only once a year. In 2021, some 4 million people sat for the exam, but less than 82,000 passed.

Some try their luck at the civil service exam every year without luck. Others, like Monica Pitoy, only need one attempt. Not long after graduation, the 23-year-old law graduate applied to the Supreme Court as a candidate justice. She had spent months preparing the application, gathering the required documents, pulling all-nighters to study and praying. 

"I've wanted to be a judge since I was a child," Monica said. She recalled one day many years ago when she accompanied her father, a lawyer, to work.

"When my father took me to the district court that day, I was awestruck by the judges’ robes."

"Turns out, the dream is all coming together now," she said.

Meanwhile, it took two attempts for Natasha Pulukadang to pass the civil service test. The former banker moved from her hometown of Manado to Ambon to seek a job as a state auditor.

Contrary to Monica, Natasha’s desire to join the civil service came later in life. Initially, she had aspired to be like one of her favorite TV characters.

"I wanted to be like Rachel Green from Friends, working in fashion and being an independent woman," she said.

As she grew up, Natasha's mindset changed, and so did her ambitions.

"I realized that I shouldn't cling to one goal in order to achieve my dream. Whatever job I take, I know I can be an independent woman."

"That is why I applied to as many different opportunities as I could. One of them was the civil service."

Varying views: Considering their lack of information of the system within government organizations, Darlin Oktavian Siahaan thinks it is acceptable for people to have mixed views about civil servants' work. (Courtesy of Darlin Oktavian Siahaan) (Courtesy of Darlin Oktavian Siahaan/Courtesy of Darlin Oktavian Siahaan)

Benefits and constraints

Candidates’ motivations to become civil servants vary, but job stability, a secure retirement and, at times, family pressure come into play.

Darlin Oktavian Siahaan, for example, applied to the Law and Human Rights Ministry "because my family encouraged me".

Darlin also saw that the role was accepting candidates who had a high school diploma only. He joined the civil service and began working before finishing college. He graduated the following year.

Childhood dream: Monica Pitoy, a law school graduate with a cum laude predicate, has always wanted to be a judge since she was a kid. (Courtesy of Monica Pitoy) (Courtesy of Monica Pitoy/Courtesy of Monica Pitoy)

Adventin Puput Putu Aryani had a similar experience. She was sworn in as a legal drafter for the law and foreign cooperation bureau of the Religious Affairs Ministry in January after passing the admission exam last year. 

Similar to Darlin, family expectations played a role.

"I attempted to apply because of my parents' advice and out of my own curiosity," she said. "I registered for the civil service exam three times after graduating college until I finally qualified."

She doesn’t regret it.

"Why should I complain when there are people who are envious of my position? Many of my friends still ask for tips to pass the test."

Adventin takes pride in her work, noting that civil servants "build the nation".

She added that the working hours were quite flexible and that she rarely had to work overtime — which was an issue for her when she was working as a customer service officer at a private bank.

The country’s civil servants are also typically unconcerned about retirement, as they are guaranteed a government pension.

"When we reach retirement age, the state continues to guarantee our income," said Darlin.

However, the rules may change for new recruits starting in 2023, who may receive a single lump sum payment upon retirement.

For Emilia Kurniasari, who chose to use a pseudonym for this article, applying for the civil service is a means of achieving her long-term goals and less of a dream job. She yearns for security, a clear career path and a guaranteed retirement.

"Becoming a civil servant is not a dream but rather another option for my future planning," she said, adding that she hoped to one day join the Foreign Ministry.

While Emilia was comfortable with her job as a Chinese tutor, she wished for more.

"Your future career path is more secure if you become a civil servant," she said.

Career change: Navigating adolescence shifted Natasha Pulukadang's perception of an ideal career as she first planned to work in fashion. (Courtesy of Natasha Pulukadang) (Courtesy of Natasha Pulukadang/Courtesy of Natasha Pulukadang)

Working culture

When it comes to state bureaucracy, many Indonesians have preconceived notions. According to Adventin, the stereotypes that often circulate, from a lack of productivity to overly complicated processes, do not apply to her agency. 

"All tasks are completed swiftly," she said, adding that this was because her agency performed regulatory work within the Religious Affairs Ministry, which necessitated “rapid and decisive choices".

Darlin said it was normal for people to have strong opinions about the civil service.

"Given their lack of awareness of the systems within government organizations, it is normal for the general public to have strong judgments about it," he said, adding that the government was "aware of these viewpoints" and was taking action.

"There's currently a process to cut out irrelevancy within the bureaucracy," Darlin explained. "The aim of doing it is to improve the overall effectiveness of government agencies."

The civil service test is now more rigorous as well.

Selection process: People participate in a test for civil servants in Surabaya on Sept. 20, 2021. (Juni Kriswanto/AFP) (AFP/Juni Kriswanto)

Monica said its difficulty had "increased" and that it was now administered virtually. As a result, there was "very little" chance of "fraud" occurring.

"[The test] can be a piece of cake if you truly work on it. However, it may seem like the hardest thing to get through if you don't invest enough time and energy," she added.

Once they get in, like in any other job, candidates may not find their job suitable and may end up quitting.

Others, however, continue to value their work for years.

"When I worked in customer service, my job was to serve the customers. Now, I serve the people," Adventin said.

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