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How to move from government to the private sector: 6 steps to pivot your career
- Brittany Wilson
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Leaving your government job can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve spent years in public service and now find yourself navigating the private sector for the first time. If you’re unsure where to start, you’re not alone. Many former government employees worry about writing a resume, finding the right jobs, and proving their value outside a government role.
The good news? Your government experience has given you valuable skills that are highly desirable in the private sector. Plus, the transition from government work to private work is not as difficult as it may seem. The key is learning how to translate those skills and structure your job search strategically. Here’s how to make your transition as smooth and successful as possible.
Writing Your Resume: Keep It Simple and Results-Focused
Many government employees haven’t needed a resume in years—or ever. The process can feel daunting, but you don’t need to start from scratch. Use free resume templates available on Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Canva, to get started.
Download our industry-leading resume and cover letter templates
Whenever you're writing a resume, here’s what matters most:
Focus on your successes – Instead of listing duties, highlight accomplishments and impact (e.g., "Reduced processing time by 30% by implementing a new workflow").
Use AI tools – Platforms like ChatGPT (check out my ChatGPT prompts for resumes) and TealHQ can help you rework your government experience into a strong private-sector resume.
Avoid government jargon – Translate job duties into business-friendly language. For example, instead of “policy enforcement,” try “compliance management.”
Know Your Worth: Conduct a Compensation Analysis
Government salaries often follow rigid pay scales, but the private sector varies widely. Before applying for jobs, research what your skills are worth in different industries.
Use salary tools like:
PayScale: PayScale offers a free individual compensation analysis tool, unique to you.
Glassdoor: The "rate-your-professor" tool for the private sector, employees can go to this website, leave anonymous reviews of their employers, and even post their salaries.
Salary.com: Search nearly any job title in any location, and you'll get dozens of results
Job postings on LinkedIn, Indeed: Many job postings now include the salary ranges
Understanding your market value helps you negotiate confidently and avoid undervaluing yourself.
Get Clarity on Your Next Step
Before jumping into applications, take a step back. What excites you? What are your dealbreakers? Now is your time to reflect on your career path and figure out what you want to do, outside of job titles. Download my free Career Clarity Canvas to:
Identify the industries and roles that align with your strengths
Define what you need from your next role (e.g., salary, flexibility, mission-driven work)
Avoid settling for a job that doesn’t fit your long-term goals
Once you know what you’re looking for, job searching becomes much easier for step #4.
Make job searching a whole lot easier.
Search Smart: Use Keywords, Not Just Job Titles
Most job seekers go to a job board and search for job titles, but this is an antiquated, close-minded approach. What if the perfect job is out there for you - but you don't know what it's called? Searching job titles alone will not help you break into the private sector.
Instead, use keywords in your job search. Scan your Career Clarity Canvas and look for keywords or phrases that pop out to you, and search job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor to search for these keywords.
For example, if you worked in regulatory affairs and you really enjoyed that role. Instead of searching for job titles like "regulatory affairs specialist," in the search bar, you might search for:
"Compliance management"
"Risk management"
"Government relations"
By doing this, the job boards will search for any and every job posting that mentions those keywords in the whole job posting. You'll then be introduced to a plethora of job titles and industries you never knew existed, and you'll see exactly how transferable your skills are. Using keywords helps you uncover roles you may not have considered but are perfect for your skill set.
Feel stuck in your job search?
Leverage Your Network: Tell People What You’re Looking For
Many private sector jobs aren’t filled through online applications—they’re filled through referrals.
Tell friends, family, former colleagues, and LinkedIn connections that you’re job hunting.
Join LinkedIn groups for professionals in your target industry.
Attend local industry networking events or virtual meetups.
The more people who know you’re looking, the more opportunities will come your way.
Work with a Recruiter—For Free
Once you’ve identified the types of roles you want, partner with a recruiter. Search for:
“[Job title] recruiters in [your city]”
Recruiters work on behalf of companies, so you should never pay a recruiter—it’s illegal for them to charge job seekers. Their job is to match you with companies that need your skills, making your job search faster and more effective.
Final Thoughts
Transitioning from government to the private sector may feel unfamiliar, but you already have the skills employers need. With the right resume, job search strategy, and networking approach, you can land a great private-sector job that values your expertise.
Need extra help? Download my free Career Clarity Canvas and check out my ChatGPT resume prompts to make the process even easier. Your next opportunity is out there—you just need to take the first step!