From Fired Fed to Fired Up: Your Ultimate Career Transition Checklist
Use this checklist to stay on track as you move from federal employment to a job with state or local governments or the private sector.
✅ Step 1: Assess Your Skills & Career Goals
☐ Identify transferable skills (e.g., project management, compliance, policy analysis, leadership).
☐ Research private-sector equivalents for your federal job title (O*NET can help).
☐ Decide if you want to stay in government-related work, pivot to a new industry, or start consulting.
☐ Work with a career coach to plan your next move.
✅ Step 2: Revamp Your Resume & LinkedIn Profile
☐ Convert your federal resume into a private-sector format (concise, two pages max).
☐ Use industry keywords and measurable achievements (e.g., "Managed a $5M budget, reducing costs by 15%").
☐ Update your LinkedIn profile with a professional headline that highlights your expertise.
☐ Request recommendations from former colleagues or supervisors on LinkedIn.
✅ Step 3: Start Networking & Job Searching
☐ Join federal alumni groups on LinkedIn and professional associations.
☐ Connect with former colleagues who have already transitioned.
☐ Attend industry events, job fairs, and webinars related to your target field.
☐ Set up job alerts on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor.
☐ Reach out to recruiters specializing in federal-to-private transitions.
✅ Step 4: Target State Government, Local Government, and Private Sector Jobs
☐ Check state and local government job boards if you want to stay in public service. Several states have launched campaigns to recruit and quickly hire displaced federal workers.
☐ Apply to private-sector jobs using job boards like:
✅ Step 5: Prepare for Interviews
☐ Practice answering common interview questions with a focus on results and impact.
☐ Research salaries using Glassdoor and negotiate your offer.
✅ Step 6: Manage Finances & Benefits
☐ Apply for unemployment benefits through your state’s website.
☐ Review health insurance options.
☐ Decide what to do with your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) (leave it, roll over, or withdraw).
☐ If eligible, explore federal severance pay or early retirement options.