Why do you think experienced senior HR professionals from the public sector often struggle to secure interviews for private sector HR leadership roles?

Paul, I've worked across public and private sector. When I was perm I moved from the NHS to not for profit and then into a legal environment which I would say is private sector but with a unique, less then traditional corporate sector feel. I did some coaching to facilitate that move. Got my CV corporate ready and focussed on transferable skills and also the things that demonstrated my commercial acumen. 

I've since set up my own business and worked across a variety of settings. The key is always to focus on their client needs, don't presume because they are corporate or not for profit or public sector, they will have all the stereotypical traits that are espoused. Focus on the wok you have done, the outcomes achieved and pitch to the client in their language. Do a lot of prep on their context. In the end the client or organisation chooses if the particular sector experience is important and I choose if the culture is a good fit for my values and how I like to work. 

Sadly, I think there are a lot of HR pros who don't have a head for business models - whether that's a not for profit, public sector or corporate setting- or able to adjust delivery to that client's maturity level - starting out, scaling up, contracting or consolidating, growing, long established etc. They may think people are people and at one level that's correct but each organisation will be unique and demonstrating you understand their context, even if you've worked in the sector or setting before, will always be important. 

Paul, I've worked across public and private sector. When I was perm I moved from the NHS to not for profit and then into a legal environment which I would say is private sector but with a unique, less then traditional corporate sector feel. I did some coaching to facilitate that move. Got my CV corporate ready and focussed on transferable skills and also the things that demonstrated my commercial acumen. 

I've since set up my own business and worked across a variety of settings. The key is always to focus on their client needs, don't presume because they are corporate or not for profit or public sector, they will have all the stereotypical traits that are espoused. Focus on the wok you have done, the outcomes achieved and pitch to the client in their language. Do a lot of prep on their context. In the end the client or organisation chooses if the particular sector experience is important and I choose if the culture is a good fit for my values and how I like to work. 

Sadly, I think there are a lot of HR pros who don't have a head for business models - whether that's a not for profit, public sector or corporate setting- or able to adjust delivery to that client's maturity level - starting out, scaling up, contracting or consolidating, growing, long established etc. They may think people are people and at one level that's correct but each organisation will be unique and demonstrating you understand their context, even if you've worked in the sector or setting before, will always be important.