If you’ve been impacted by the recent federal layoffs, you may be facing an unfamiliar job market and wondering what comes next. Transitioning to the private sector shares many similarities with any job search, but there are key differences that can make the process feel unfamiliar. Understanding these unique challenges and how to navigate them will set you up for success.
Focus on Networking and Smaller Organizations
The state government job market will likely be flooded, making competition high. Instead of solely relying on applying to state jobs, consider expanding your search to smaller organizations and corporate roles. Networking will be your most valuable tool in this transition.
Many federal roles are highly specialized, so you’ll want to identify jobs that most closely align with the work you were doing, but can be found in a corporate space. LinkedIn Career Explorer, O*NET, or ChatGPT are great tools for helping you identify roles that align with your skills and experience.
Resume Adjustments for the Private Sector
Transitioning from a federal resume to a corporate one requires a shift in language, format, and content. Keep the following in mind:
Understand Industry Language: Tailor your resume to reflect the terminology of your target industry. Do your “research” by studying job postings and even LinkedIn profiles of individuals who are currently doing the job you are applying for.
Title Translation: Job titles in the federal government often don’t align with corporate job titles. Identify what your role equates to in the private sector and adjust accordingly.
Resume Length: Unlike federal resumes, which can be five pages or more, corporate resumes should be limited to two pages focusing on the last 10-15 years (or at most 20 years) of experience. Anything older or less relevant can go in an “Additional Relevant Experience” section of your resume, with no dates.
One Story, Multiple Angles: Different industries value different aspects of your experience. Highlight relevant accomplishments based on the job you’re applying for.
Impact and Accomplishments: Focus on what you achieved and the measurable impact of your work. Use metrics whenever possible to demonstrate value.
ATS-Friendly Format: Unlike the federal hiring process, most corporate recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Ensure your resume is optimized for ATS by avoiding complex formatting and using standard headings.
Simplify Details: Remove unnecessary elements such as supervisor names, salary information, and hours per week, which are assumed in the private sector.
Avoid Redundancy: If you held multiple roles with similar responsibilities, vary the wording of your bullet points to emphasize different aspects of your experience and prevent repetition.
No References: Unlike federal applications, corporate resumes do not include references.
Avoiding Ageism in Your Application
The federal workforce skews older compared to the private sector. To mitigate age discrimination, be mindful of the following:
Use a Modern Email Address: If you’re still using AOL or Yahoo, switch to Gmail or another modern provider.
Remove Graduation Dates: Keep education details relevant, but omit graduation years.
Handling Older Experience: As mentioned above, experience prior to 2000 can be listed under “Additional Relevant Experience” without dates to prevent unnecessary age-related bias.
Overcoming Bias Against Federal Workers
There is a common misconception that federal employees are less productive than their private-sector counterparts. To combat this bias:
Highlight Accomplishments: Clearly demonstrate where you added value in your previous roles.
Showcase Efficiency and Results: Focus on performance-driven achievements in both your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Use Performance Reviews as a Resource: Pull key data and accomplishments from your annual self-assessments and performance evaluations.
LinkedIn Considerations
Your LinkedIn profile should be connected to your personal email, not your work email. If you haven’t done this already (and this applies to everyone!), make the switch now—you never know when your job situation may change.
Additionally, ensure your profile is up to date:
Include a compelling summary that highlights your transferable skills and career strengths.
Use a professional, high-quality headshot.
Optimize key sections—Headline, Summary, Experience, Skills, and Interests—to improve your visibility to recruiters and hiring managers.
Final Thoughts
The transition from federal to corporate jobs comes with unique challenges, but with the right strategy, it can also be an opportunity to grow in your career. Focus on networking, translating your experience to your target industry, and proactively addressing biases to position yourself for success.
If you know someone who could benefit from this information – please pass it along! And always feel free to reach out with questions or schedule a Discovery Call.
*Big thanks to Marie Zimenoff at Career Thought Leaders and Nancy Segal at Solutions for the Workplace for sharing many of these valuable tips.
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