With Donald Trump's second White House victory, Ayanna Jackson, founder of AEJ Consulting, an executive coaching and career-development firm in metro Washington, DC, anticipated a surge in demand from government workers seeking to revamp their résumés. This foresight proved accurate as she has already seen an increase in inquiries from federal employees looking to transition to the private sector.
Concerns Over the Department of Government Efficiency
Part of this increased demand stems from concerns about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a quasi-government entity established by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to cut public spending. With a cooperative Congress, this could spell trouble for entire agencies, prompting government workers to explore private sector opportunities.
Philosophical Differences and Job Market Strategies
For government workers looking to avoid the DOGE or those with philosophical differences with the new administration, transitioning to the private sector requires a different approach. Career experts advise focusing on networking and tapping into the "hidden job market." This involves connecting with people and companies rather than just applying to open jobs.
Laura Labovich, CEO of The Career Strategy Group, notes that unlike government roles, where the job race starts once a position is posted, it's crucial to be on a hiring manager's radar before a job is advertised in the private sector.
Résumé and Interview Tips
Résumé Length and Content
- Length: Private sector résumés should typically be two pages, unlike federal résumés that can run four to six pages.
- Content: Avoid acronyms and obscure agency names. Focus on soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and influence.
AI Tools
- Caution: Be wary of relying solely on AI to compress résumés, as it can introduce errors and bloated language.
Interview Preparation
- STAR Method: Use the Situation, Task, Action, Result method to structure interview responses.
- Coaching: Consider getting interview coaching, especially if you haven't interviewed in a while.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Richard Poulson, a partner at Willig, Williams & Davidson, highlights that public sector workers moving to the private sector may face restrictions, especially if they transition from being regulators to being regulated. Workers should be aware of potential conflicts of interest and ensure they understand any limitations before making the switch.
Economic Factors
Lisa Simon, chief economist at Revelio Labs, predicts that private-sector hiring will recover well over the next six months, which could attract government workers despite the benefits they might be giving up. However, she notes that there wasn't a significant exodus during Trump's first term.
Long-Term Career Considerations
Poulson advises government workers to consider the longevity and importance of their roles, which often span multiple political shifts. Focusing on the impact of their work can outweigh the changes that occur with each new administration.
As government workers navigate potential job market shifts, focusing on strategic networking, tailored résumés, and ethical considerations will be key to successfully transitioning to the private sector.
In Washington, DC, the hottest trend might be updating résumés as Elon Musk's government efficiency commission aims to cut government spending, raising questions about the future of millions of jobs.
Government Department Breakdown
Business Insider's Ayelet Sheffey and Madison Hoff provide a detailed breakdown of employee numbers and salaries across various government departments:
- Average Compensation: Most departments have an average compensation exceeding $100,000, with the Department of Education leading at $144,561.
- Largest Employer: Veterans Affairs employs 486,522 workers, more than double the second-largest department, Homeland Security, with 222,539 employees.
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
The specifics of how the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will operate remain unclear. However, Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leading DOGE with Musk, has hinted that entire federal agencies could be cut. While this sounds drastic, some major areas of government spending, such as Social Security ($1.46 trillion) and Medicare ($874 billion), are considered mandatory spending and would require significant legislative efforts to alter.
Musk's Track Record
Musk is known for taking bold actions, as seen when he acquired Twitter and cut 80% of the staff. Despite predictions of the app's demise, Twitter remains a central platform for public discourse more than two years later.
Challenges in Eliminating Departments
Eliminating entire departments presents its own set of challenges. DOGE will likely function as an advisory group without the power to enact changes directly, according to experts cited by Business Insider's Alice Tecotzky and John L. Dorman.
Public Sector Attraction
The potential reckoning for government jobs comes after a year when the public sector gained significant attention. Amid the layoffs and volatility of the 2022 and 2023 job markets, government jobs became an attractive alternative due to their stability, good benefits, and retirement plans, even though pay often lags behind private-sector jobs. Younger workers, in particular, seem to appreciate this trade-off.
Potential Silver Lining
There could be a silver lining for affected workers. In October, Musk mentioned considering severance packages of up to two years' pay to ease the transition. "We just have too many people in the government sector, and they could be more productive elsewhere," Musk stated.
Conclusion
As government workers face potential job instability, the trend of updating résumés reflects a proactive response to an uncertain future. The Efficiency Commission's actions will likely have far-reaching implications, affecting both the public sector workforce and the broader job market.