Federal Job Uncertainty? Here’s How I Took Control

Federal Job Uncertainty? Here’s How I Took Control—And How You Can Too

I still remember the gut punch feeling when I realized my time in military service was coming to an end. I thought I was invincible and that despite medical challenges I would recover. Damn was I wrong! The security, structure, clear path forward to CW5 and everything I had relied on felt like it was slipping away. And now, as a federal employee staring down layoffs, hiring freezes, and budget cuts, I feel it all over again.

If you’re reading this and wondering what’s next, I’ve been there, and I’m feeling it now too.

I know what it’s like to wake up at 0300 in a cold sweat thinking:

• “What if I’m next?”
• “Will my federal experience even translate to the private sector?”
• “Am I really about to Google ‘What do people wear in the private sector?’”

The good news? You have options. You are not stuck but waiting for the system to save you isn’t a strategy. In life and in work, action gets rewarded—hesitation doesn’t.

Here’s What I Learned (The Hard Way)

1. You have way more transferable skills than you think. Seriously. You’ve probably juggled impossible deadlines, managed chaos, and de-escalated workplace meltdowns—all of which the private sector just calls “project management.”
2. Government jargon doesn’t translate. Your rank or GS level? Your clearance? That’s not what gets you hired. RESULTS do. If your resume looks like a USAJOBS posting, we’ve got some work to do.
3. Waiting isn’t a strategy. You don’t need to have all the answers right now—but you do need to start moving. Otherwise, you might find yourself six months deep in job applications and questioning all your life choices while eating cold pizza at 2 PM on a Tuesday.

I learned these lessons the hard way during my transition from the military, and I don’t want you to make the same mistakes. Like you, my family depends on me to be proactive, not reactive to make ends meet.

What I Wish I Hadn’t Done

I made some big mistakes when I left military service, and if I could go back, here’s what I’d do differently:

1. I assumed my security clearance and rank would make me highly desirable. I thought my clearance and experience would give me a competitive edge. Turns out, private-sector hiring managers don’t care about government pay scales. They care about what problems you’ve solved and what impact you’ve made.
2. I waited too long to start networking. I thought if I just kept applying, I’d land a role. But 70% of jobs are never even posted—they’re filled through networking and referrals (see friends really do matter!). I should have been building relationships, not just sending out applications into the void.
3. I focused on what I had done, not what I could do. My first resume? It read like a list of responsibilities, not proof of results. And that was a big problem. If your resume reads like a government SOP, you’ve already lost the hiring manager’s attention.

How I Took Control and Successfully Transitioned

If you’re feeling stuck, let me save you some time. Here’s how I made the transition work and what I am doing now:

1. I Translated My Resume—No More Government-ese: I realized that the way I talked about my work mattered just as much as what I had done. If your resume still sounds like you copy-pasted from your performance review, it’s time for a rewrite. Start by finding three private-sector job descriptions that interest you and match your resume to their language.
2. I Built My Network Before I Needed It: Applying online wasn’t and isn’t enough. I had to get in front of decision-makers. If you’re in the early stages of your transition, take five minutes right now and find five people in your target industry. Then send them a simple message like: “Hey [Name], I saw your work at [Company]. I’m transitioning from federal service and would love 10 minutes to hear how you navigated it.” Worst case? They don’t reply. Best case? You get insider info that could land you a job before it even gets posted.
3. I Focused on Results, Not Job Titles: A hiring manager doesn’t care about your job series or parenthetical. They care only about how you solve problems and will make an organization successful. Remember, it’s not about your title, it’s about what you did with it.

What You Can Do Right Now

The best way to prepare for job uncertainty? Take action before you have to.

Step 1: Rewrite your resume to highlight impact, not job duties.
Step 2: Reach out to three people this week for networking conversations.
Step 3: Prepare three interview stories that showcase leadership, problem-solving, and execution.

Final Thought: You Are Not Stuck

I know what it’s like to feel like you’re at a fork in the road, unsure which way to go. But you’re not starting over—you’re just leveraging your experience differently. As a public servant, you have the leadership, the expertise and the ability to GSD (Get Stuff Done).

Now’s the time to own your next move.

Drop a comment or other technique to help a federal teammate navigate what’s next.

#RebelLeadersGSD #ForkintheRoad #CareerTransition #VeteransHelpingVeterans #WeTakeCareOfOurOwn 

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