As you transition out of federal government employment, you will need to update your resume to properly translate your detailed government job duties and accomplishments into concise, action-oriented statements that highlight relevant skills and achievements, using common industry terminology, and generally shortening the length to fit a standard 1-2 page civilian resume format while still emphasizing key qualifications for the desired civilian role. You will also want to avoid overly technical government jargon and acronyms.

Key points to consider when converting a federal resume to a civilian resume:

• Simplify Language: Replace government-specific terms with their civilian equivalents. For example, “program manager” instead of “project officer,” “stakeholder engagement” instead of “interagency coordination.”
• Focus on Results: Quantify your achievements with numbers and percentages to demonstrate the impact of your work.
• Tailor to Each Job: Customize your resume for each civilian position by highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences listed in the job description.
• Condense Details: While federal resumes often require extensive detail, civilian resumes can be more concise, focusing on key accomplishments and responsibilities.
• Remove Unnecessary Information: Eliminate details like agency-specific acronyms, occupational series numbers, and overly technical jargon that may not be familiar to private sector hiring managers.

Example of translating federal government experience to civilian terms:

• Federal Role: “Managed a team of analysts responsible for developing and implementing budget proposals for a large federal agency.”
• Civilian Translation: “Led a team of financial analysts in crafting and executing strategic budget plans, resulting in $X million in cost savings.”

Areas to highlight on a civilian resume:

• Technical Skills: Specific software proficiency, data analysis skills, project management tools.
• Leadership Experience: Managing teams, supervising staff, delegating tasks.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Identifying issues, developing solutions, implementing improvements.
• Communication Skills: Effective written and verbal communication, stakeholder engagement.

Important considerations:

• Review Job Descriptions Carefully: Analyze each civilian job posting to identify the key skills and qualifications they are seeking.
• Use a Standard Resume Format: Select a chronological or functional format depending on your career goals.
• Proofread Thoroughly: Ensure your resume is free from errors and presents a professional image.

Visit one of our Virginia Career Works Career Centers for resume writing assistance.