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3 strategies for translating your federal experience into private sector resumes

If you have spent years writing resumes for a federal job, the thought of crafting a private-sector version may feel daunting—especially if you are considering a career pivot.  

But with intentional strategy and planning, you can bridge the gap and position yourself as a strong contender in any sector. Below are three high-impact resume tips tailored for current or former civil servants who are exploring new opportunities outside the federal government.

1. Start with a skills assessment 

Before you rewrite your resume, reflect on what you bring to the table. A skills assessment can help you: 

• Recognize your strongest competencies—leadership, stakeholder management, project planning, data analysis and more
• Highlight transferable skills that apply across sectors
• Identify the overlap between what you do best and the work you most enjoy
• Translate federal jargon into language that resonates in other industries

Example: “Led interagency coordination” can become “managed cross-functional stakeholders” in a private-sector context. Your goal is to help the employer clearly see the connection between your experience and their needs. 

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Go deeper: Check out the Partnership’s blog post on conducting a skills assessment. 

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2. Keep a rolling resume 

Think of this as your complete internal record, not something you share with employers. It should include: 

• Every role you have held
• Bullets you might not use every time, but do not want to forget
• Accomplishments, trainings, projects and metrics
• When you apply, pull from this menu of experience to tailor your resume for the specific job. Match your language to the posting, incorporate keywords and cut what is not relevant. 

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Pro tip: Put the job description on one side of your screen and your resume draft on the other. Adjust wording so it aligns with what the employer seeks. 

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3. Focus on clarity and readability 

Most hiring managers spend about 60 seconds on a first pass of your resume. That means: 

• Stick to one to two pages
• Use a simple, clean format with clear headings
• Choose standard fonts like Times New Roman or Arial (10-12 point)
• Start bullets with action verbs and, whenever possible, show outcomes

Example: Instead of “responsible for communications,” try “launched new communication system that reduced turnaround times by 30%.”

Avoid the last-minute scramble 

The worst time to update your resume is when the application deadline for your dream job is in 24 hours.

• Treat your resume as a living document
• Set aside time now to refresh it
• Add recent accomplishments
• Get feedback

By regularly assessing your skills, keeping a rolling resume and tailoring for each application, you will be ready for your career pivot, wherever it takes you.

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