Career Resource Guide for Federal Employees Navigating Job Loss
Amidst a federal employee buyout and mass firings of the federal workforce, thousands of former federal workers are waking up to a situation they may not have anticipated. If you’re a former federal worker who has recently lost your job, first of all, thank you for your service.
Second, here are some key steps for you to take to recover and move forward.
Know Your Rights
The Federal Employment Appeals Guide is a comprehensive resource helping federal employees understand and navigate employment-related appeals. Learn essential steps, legal frameworks, and Merit Systems Protection Board procedures for effectively challenging adverse employment decisions within the federal workforce.
For more information, access this resource: U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board Information Sheet No. 4 - Probationary Employees. This informational guide about probationary employees from the Merit Systems Protection Board offers general guidance and procedural background information.
Disclaimer: These guides are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The contents do not establish an attorney-client relationship. Users are encouraged to seek personalized legal counsel for their specific circumstances. For professional legal assistance, contact your local bar association for a list of attorneys specializing in federal employment law.
Democracy Forward filed a class-wide complaint with the Office of Special Counsel challenging the mass firing of federal employees still in probationary periods. If you are in this situation and want to explore joining the complaint, reach out to info@civilservicestrong.org
Take Care of Your Health
If you have just been let go, you likely have many emotions. It’s essential to allow yourself the chance to process these feelings.
Reach out to a mental health professional who can provide you with a safe space to work through your emotions. Two websites for locating psychologists include the Psychologist Locator provided by the American Psychological Association and the National Register. Your state’s psychological association may be another way to find providers. You could also seek referrals from friends and your physician.
Embrace Your Skills
Losing your federal position can feel overwhelming, but remember: your skills and experience have value beyond your former role. Instead of viewing this transition as "selling yourself" to new employers, focus on identifying and articulating your unique value to organizations.
Start by recognizing your transferable skills from federal service. Government employees often possess highly sought-after capabilities in areas such as compliance, project management, stakeholder communication, and complex problem-solving. These skills are valuable in both the public and private sectors.
Take time to reflect on your strengths by answering these questions:
What specific skills did I consistently use and enjoy in my federal role?
When was I at my professional best, and what capabilities did I demonstrate?
How did my work create a positive impact for stakeholders?
Then, consider how these skills could benefit:
• Private sector organizations
• State or local government agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Consulting firms that work with government agencies
Rather than viewing networking as "selling yourself," approach it as sharing your expertise and seeking ways to contribute. Many organizations value federal experience but may not fully understand its applications. You can bridge that gap by clearly communicating how your government experience translates to their needs.
Remember: Your federal service has equipped you with valuable perspectives and capabilities. Focus on articulating that value. This mindset will help you engage more confidently with potential opportunities.
Explore Your Career Options
Whether you know what you want to do next or you’re not sure, there are free tools that can help. For example, My Next Move, provided by the US Department of Labor, is an interactive career exploration tool offering 900+ options through keyword search, industry browsing, and personalized interest-based recommendations.
For more resources, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration website.
Hiring a career professional or participating in a career development course can also help you clarify what you want and create an actionable career development plan to build a rewarding next chapter. We invite federal workers seeking employment to use coupon code FWSPRING2025 at checkout through March 31, 2025 to save 15% on our courses:
Turn to Your Network for Support
Don't underestimate the strength of your federal network during this transition. Former colleagues, supervisors, and interagency contacts can be valuable allies in your job search. Many understand the unique challenges of federal service transitions and are willing to help, whether through introductions, references, or insights about opportunities.
Start with these concrete steps:
• Contact former colleagues who've successfully transitioned out of the federal government
• Connect with federal contractor representatives you've enjoyed working with
• Join LinkedIn groups for former federal employees in your field
• Reach out to professional associations in your area of expertise
• Consider reaching out to federal employee support organizations
Remember to be specific in your outreach. Instead of asking for help generally, request focused introductions to hiring managers or information about particular organizations you're targeting.
How to Find Work Opportunities
Civic Match
Provided by Work for America, connecting top public sector talent with essential local government jobs.
Social Impact Job Openings
It's common to feel like there aren't any good jobs for you, but many organizations are hiring, even amidst the upheaval generated by the White House.
While I don't recommend that job seekers rely entirely on publicly posted job opportunities, reading and analyzing job postings is an integral part of a search. Be sure to communicate with your network about what you're seeking and inquire about opportunities.
Contrary to what many job seekers believe, the best job for experienced professionals to focus on is typically one that has yet to be publicly posted. This is because there is less competition, and it presents more of a chance to shape the role.
Every day, I learn about mission-driven roles via my LinkedIn feed. Here are a few examples:
Head of Operations/Chief of Staff, Art Pharmacy | Remote, $110,000 - $135,000
Chief Communications & Engagement Officer, Harvard Graduate School of Education | Starts at $151,200
Director of Economic Freedom, Community Change | Flexible, $160-180k
Director of Water, Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) | D.C. or College Park, MD (may be remote), $100,000 - $140,000
Assistant Director, Bard College’s low-residency MBA in Sustainability program, Assistant Director | New York City, $77,000 - $84,000
Education Staff Attorney, Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) | Boston (Hybrid), $69,850 - $80,300
Clean Grid Director, Environmental League of Massachusetts | Boston (Hybrid), $95,000-$103,000
Senior Director, Conservation & Climate Finance Policy, The Nature Conservancy | D.C. On-site, $216,000 - $229,000
Consider Self-Employment
Your federal experience has equipped you with valuable expertise that could translate well into independent consulting work, providing a flexible transition pathway while you explore long-term career options. Organizations often need professionals who understand complex operations, regulatory compliance, project management, and stakeholder engagement—areas where federal employees typically excel. You can leverage your professional expertise as an independent consultant while controlling your schedule and client selection. Plus, consulting work can help you build new skills and expand your network across different sectors.
To explore this path, start with these three steps:
1. Identify your consulting niche by analyzing where your expertise intersects with private sector needs. For example, if you managed large-scale projects or led organizational change initiatives, you might help companies improve their operational efficiency or change management processes.
2. Research the market by connecting with former colleagues who've made this transition, joining relevant professional associations, and studying companies that could benefit from your specific expertise.
3. Create a clear service offering by documenting specific problems you can solve, developing a rate structure, and crafting a compelling pitch that translates your experience into valuable consulting solutions.
Customize Job Application Materials for Target Opportunities
Your federal experience is valuable, but you must translate it effectively for your target opportunities. Whether pursuing private sector roles, contractor positions, or other public sector opportunities, your application materials should speak directly to each potential employer's needs. This means moving beyond standard government resume formats and terminology to create compelling narratives that resonate with different audiences.
The key is to transform your government experience into language that demonstrates transferable value. For example, instead of focusing on GS levels or specific federal programs, emphasize leadership capabilities, project outcomes, and quantifiable achievements that matter across sectors.
Best Practices for Your Application Materials
Replace generic objective statements with a powerful professional summary that highlights your most relevant accomplishments and capabilities
Focus on achievements from the past 15 years, emphasizing measurable results (e.g., "Led cross-agency team that reduced processing time by 40%" rather than "Responsible for process improvement")
Translate federal terminology into widely understood business language (e.g., "stakeholder engagement" instead of "interagency coordination")
Remove graduation dates from the education section to prevent age bias, but keep relevant certifications and security clearances current
Include specific examples of value creation in each role (budgets managed, team sizes, project scopes, efficiency gains, cost savings achieved)
Working with a professional resume writer can save dozens of hours and speed up your progress. We invite federal workers seeking employment to use coupon code FWSPRING2025 at checkout through March 31, 2025 to save 15% on branding services (e.g. resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles).
Recap
Losing your federal position is challenging, but you have more options and resources available than you might realize. Start by taking care of your immediate needs: understand your legal rights, prioritize your mental health, and allow yourself time to process the transition.
Then, focus on your path forward by identifying your transferable skills, exploring career options through available tools, leveraging your network strategically, and customizing your application materials for target opportunities. Consider consulting work as a flexible transition option while you explore long-term possibilities.
Remember that your federal experience has equipped you with valuable capabilities sought after in many sectors. Don't go through this transition alone - reach out to your network, connect with career development professionals, and utilize the many resources available to support your journey.
#FederalEmployees #CareerTransition #JobSearch #ProfessionalDevelopment
