Federal Job or Other Layoff? Tips for Your Career Pivot or Reinvention

Are you out of a Federal or government job? Have you experienced a job loss or layoff, and are you contemplating your next career move? Where do you start?

Whether you’re considering a career pivot—transitioning within your current industry or field—or a career reinvention, where you shift entirely to a new industry, understanding your options is crucial. Read this article for more details on pivots and reinventions and take charge of your career journey.

Do you need some tips on exploring career transition strategies, job search techniques, and professional development opportunities that align with your career goals?

Do any of these job losses apply to you?

• Corporate Changes: Acquisition, bankruptcy, business unit dissolution, buyout offer, company relocation, department eliminations, downsizing, factory or business closing, leadership shifts, merger, or restructuring.
• Job Market & Industry Trends: AI replacement, automation, offshoring, outsourcing, regulatory changes, or shifting job demands.
• Employment Status & Personal Circumstances: Contract expiration, disability leave return, fired, forced resignation, furlough, layoff, maternity or paternity leave return, non-compete clause expiration, non-renewal of contract, personal relocation, position terminated, post-military transition, project completion, reclassification, retirement return, toxic work environment, underemployment exit, or union strike.
• Performance & Career Growth Factors: Career stagnation, overqualification, pay cuts, or performance improvement plan (PIP) completion.
• Life Events & Professional Aspirations: Desire for a more fulfilling career, expatriation return, family responsibilities, or sabbaticals (caregiving, education, full-time parenting, health and well-being, personal goal pursuit, professional development, relocation, retirement, travel, voluntary work, etc.)
• Federal or Other Mandates: Elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion roles, government shutdown impact, or return to office.
• Other Possible Reasons: End of grant or funding, expired work visa, green card or citizenship status change, natural disaster, or role sunsetted due to a technology shift.

No matter the reason, weighing the pros and cons of a career pivot versus a complete reinvention is essential to making an informed decision. It’s best to write things down so you have a visual.

For some, you may be able to plan your transition, and for others, you may be in transition unexpectedly.?

Explore various career pathways to determine the best fit for your skills, interests, and professional aspirations. These pathways could either be traditional or alternative.

• Advisory & Board Positions: Corporate, nonprofit, or educational board roles.
• Cooperative Businesses: worker-owned companies.
• Contract & Temporary Work: Short-term projects, staffing agencies, gig economy roles.
• Fractional Executive Work: Roles like fractional CFO, CHRO, or CMO for startups and small businesses.
• Franchise Ownership: Investing in a proven business model.
• Government Roles: Local, state, or federal jobs, international organizations (United Nations, World Bank), or public-private partnerships.
• Portfolio Careers: Multiple part-time roles, consulting, and side gigs.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Hybrid roles in infrastructure, sustainability, healthcare, etc.
• Regulated Industries: Finance, healthcare, and technology sectors may value your expertise.
• Remote & Digital Nomad Jobs: Fully remote positions that offer flexibility.
• Skill-Based Gig Work: Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or TaskRabbit.
• Think Tanks & Research: Policy research organizations, labor unions, or trade associations.
• Worker-Owned Businesses: Cooperative businesses where employees share ownership and profits.

Do you need to engage in continuing education?

Education to Upskill or Reskill: You may need to reskill or upskill for a new industry with certifications, boot camps, or degree programs.

• Trade Schools & Apprenticeships: Learn specialized trades.
• Teaching & Training Roles: Adjunct professors, corporate trainers, or online course creators.
• Returnships & Fellowships: Programs designed for mid-career professionals re-entering the workforce.

You may be considering self-employment.

Entrepreneurship

• Freelancing & Consulting: Independent contracting in writing, coaching, design, or IT.
• Angel Investing & Venture Capital: Supporting startups and emerging businesses.
• E-commerce & Passive Income: Dropshipping, real estate, affiliate marketing, and content creation.

Perhaps you are driven by a personal passion.

Mission-Based or Passion Area Career Options:?

• Advocacy & Nonprofit Leadership: Community organizing, lobbying, nonprofit, social impact roles
• Faith-Based Careers: Ministry, chaplaincy, or mission work.
• Creative & Artistic Professions: Film, music, painting, visual arts, or writing.
• Environmental & Sustainability Work: Green jobs, conservation, ESG consulting.
• Humanitarian & International Development: Disaster relief, global aid, and social enterprise roles.

Here are some strategies for a successful career transition if retirement is not an option.

If you are a Federal employee, you can tap into Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) from USA Jobs to see if you can figure things out on your own, join job seeker groups to learn and network in a group environment, and/or hire a career coach for individualized services to speed up the process.?

Rebrand & Update Your Resume: Highlight achievements in your resume using measurable outcomes with $, #, and % to showcase how you helped a company increase revenue, reduce costs, save time, or enhance efficiency. Use industry-specific keywords to align with applicant tracking systems (ATS). Build your personal brand to boost your visibility and attract potential employers.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: Optimizing LinkedIn with future-focused positioning, strong keywords, and strategic networking. Join workshops to stay up-to-date with current trends.

Engage on LinkedIn consistently commenting as it creates visibility, discoverability, and credibility.

Participate in Networking and Building Relationships: According to research, up to 80% of jobs are found through networking. Build relationships by engaging with peers, attending industry events, conferences, and trade shows, and leveraging LinkedIn connections of colleagues, peers, industry professionals, and alums. Make new connections with new people in person and on LinkedIn. Informational interviews can also be a valuable strategy for breaking into a new field. Be a Go-Giver, pay it forward to help others, and thank them for helping you. It’s a two-way street, and it’s the support system you will need in this transition.

Create a Target Company List: Identify potential employers and connect with current employees. Use second-level LinkedIn connections to secure introductions and gain insights into hiring processes. Reach out to request informational interviews.

Review Transferable Skills: Usually, transferable skills are soft skills. You will find an alphabetical list of about 50 in this article under Categories of STAR Behavioral Interview Questions.

Leverage Digital Platforms: Beyond LinkedIn, explore job boards, industry-specific websites, and freelance platforms. Federal employees can explore GovLoop and USAJobs for government opportunities.

Review Post-Employment Restrictions if You Are a Federal Employee: You may have limitations working in the private sector on specific projects or with specific clients under 18 U.S.C. § 207.

Understand Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Many companies use ATS software to filter resumes. Learn how to optimize your application by incorporating job-specific keywords and tailoring each submission to the role for Applicant Tracking Systems. One source I have lists almost 600 ATS systems, so you never know which one you will get.

Stay Informed on Job Search Strategies: Technology and hiring trends evolve quickly. Stay ahead by continuously learning job search best practices, attending career workshops, and using digital tools to track and organize your job search activities and contacts.

Maintain a Positive Mindset and Attitude: Job searching can be challenging, but a positive attitude makes a difference. Engage with supportive networks, stay motivated, and approach opportunities confidently and optimistically when networking.

Final Thoughts

Navigating career transitions in today’s ever-changing job market requires strategic planning, adaptability, and a proactive and positive mindset. Whether you're pivoting in your industry or reinventing yourself in an entirely new field, understanding your options and leveraging your skills can set you up for success.?

By taking deliberate steps—updating your resume, optimizing your LinkedIn profile, networking effectively, and staying informed on job search strategies—you can position yourself for new opportunities that align with your career goals and aspirations.?

Career transitions are not just about finding a job but shaping a fulfilling and sustainable professional future.

By implementing these career transition strategies, you can confidently take control of your professional path for a fulfilling future.?

If you need personalized guidance, consider hiring a career coach ( ????♀? book a call with me to chat) and joining professional networking groups (like Great Careers Network) to accelerate your success.

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• Tues Mar 18 - The Emotional Side of Job Transition and Job Loss
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• Mon Mar 31 - Navigating Layoff & Job Search
• Mon Mar 31 - Gamify Your Career Path
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BIO

Lynne M. Williams is the Executive Director of the Great Careers Network, a volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides career development and networking connections for 1) job seekers in career transition, including veterans, and 2) employed and self-employed for career management.

Aside from writing keyword-focused content for ATS resumes and LinkedIn profiles, Lynne is writing her doctoral dissertation on LinkedIn for Job Seekers. She is a contributing author on “Applying to Positions” in ?Find Your Fit: A Practical Guide to Landing the Job You Love, along with the late Dick Bolles, the author of What Color is Your Parachute?, and is also a speaker on career topics.