From the Hill to the Private Sector—How to Translate Your Experience

If you’re thinking about moving from the predictability and security of a federal job to a job in the private sector, you may be understandably nervous about this transition. While the private sector is a follows a different set of rules, understanding the expectations and being willing to adjust to a different culture is key. There are few steps you can take to make yourself look appealing to the private sector. Here are a few ways to make yourself stand out.

Rework your resume. Resumes submitted in the private sector are generally more concise than those in the federal world, so it’s best if you do some editing. Look at what is listed on your federal resume that reflects quantifiable results. Make these features stand out with bullet points so that they jump out to a hiring manager. Focus on where you’ve been able to make an impact and look at the wording you use to illustrate the changes you’ve initiated at your jobs. Take out government jargon that only someone in the federal sector would understand.

List your skills that are transferable. Just because you’ve spent your career on the Hill doesn’t mean you don’t have a wealth of skills the private sector will find desirable. Federal workers often gain valuable experience in areas like leadership, project management, problem solving, and data analysis. If you’re looking at industries like healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity, they will find your skills in regulatory compliance and policy analysis appealing.

Always be networking. Many private sector jobs you find out about could come from your contacts, so make networking a priority. Find events in your industry to attend. These events don’t have to be specifically for networking. You can turn any opportunity into a chance to talk about possible open positions. Use LinkedIn and ask your current contacts if they have anyone you could talk to about your desired industry. There are also recruiters and career advisors who can help you specifically transfer from the Hill to the private sector, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with specialized help.

One of the main differences between a job on the Hill and one in the private sector is being subject to regulation and compliance. Because of this, when you hold a federal job, you may feel like you experience a lot of “red tape” that leads to projects taking longer and needing to seek many layers of approval. The private sector still has regulations but faces less bureaucracy. Still, there’s enough overlap that you can find ways to show how your skills are transferable.

https://ourpublicservice.org/blog/tips-transitioning-government-to-private-sector-fedsupport-federal-employee-explainer-series/

https://www.vcwalexandriaarlington.com/Job-Seeker-Services/Transitioning-from-the-Federal-Government

https://www.aprio.com/how-to-transition-from-federal-to-private-sector-jobs-tips-for-transitioning-to-the-private-sector-ins-article-gc/