Moving On and Moving Up: Career Strategies After a Federal Layoff
Layoffs have unfortunately become all too common, including within the federal government. Each client I have worked with over the years is affected emotionally, financially, and in their careers. I had one client who compared her layoff to a divorce because she had been with her employer so long that she didn’t know what life was like without her co-workers. While I don’t usually recommend staying in a role for that length of time, I do understand how hard it is to pick up the pieces and move forward. What I love about my work is getting to see professionals set new goals, boost their confidence, and find roles they truly enjoy.
If you have been impacted by a recent layoff in the federal sector, this is a time of recalibration for you. Let’s take a look at how you can put your best foot forward in a job search.
Take a Deep Dive Into Your Goals and Discover What’s Next
For most people, this is the hardest part because they just want to start writing a resume. Honestly, that is one of the biggest mistakes I see jobseekers make. If you write a resume without knowing what it is for, then you are wasting your own time and energy. It’s even worse if you paid a professional resume writer to do it for you. Any true professional would stop you at this point and ask about the type of role you are looking for next. So, please don’t be afraid to take some time to breathe, heal, and get your thoughts in order. It will benefit you in the long run. My advice is to reconnect with yourself now. Journal, meditate, and take some career assessments online when you’re ready. A career coach can help you at this stage if you’re willing to invest in yourself and your future career growth.
Rebrand Yourself and Your Career Materials
Once you know what type of industry or roles you want to apply to, you can then consider writing your resume, a cover letter, and updating your LinkedIn profile. It is important to know what you want to apply for first because you need to customize your resume for those roles. Contrary to some of the advice you might find online, you also need to be careful of employing AI in this process. The point is not to have a generic resume, so you don’t want to utilize generic language from a one-size-fits-all job description that does not tell your story. The key here is to stand out with your achievements, accomplishments, and value propositions by crafting a compelling leadership brand that makes you a competitive candidate.
We also cannot forget personal branding in this process. This is where a cover letter and LinkedIn become important. While many employers may not require a cover letter, taking advantage of the option may be a smart idea in such a competitive market. Why are you probably wondering? Because a resume only provides so much real estate for a set amount of information. A cover letter is a great opportunity to discuss why you are interested in the organization, its mission, projects, and work. I always tell clients that cover letters are a great way to go ten layers deeper beyond the job description and your resume.
LinkedIn also should not be left behind. It is important to utilize it to brand yourself as a leader and also craft a compelling narrative that shares your career story, professional goals, and who you are as a person.
If you have been impacted by a recent layoff in the federal sector, this is a time of recalibration for you. Let’s take a look at how you can put your best foot forward in a job search.
Ignite Your Network
Throughout this job search, it will be beneficial to rekindle old connections while making new ones. Networking is about building and maintaining professional relationships for a mutual benefit. If you are going to ask a connection for something, it is wise to be prepared to return the favor now or in the future. Networking does not have to be done formally. However, it should be done strategically to avoid burnout. Job searching is a marathon, not a sprint, so it is important to utilize your energy accordingly.
Prep for Interviews- Without AI
If you have not interviewed for a while or are switching to a different sector of work, I would suggest practicing for your interviews. Interviews are vastly different in the private sector than in the public sector, especially in the federal government. You want to be sure to nail the STAR process, be comfortable with behavioral questions, and feel prepared to discuss your layoff and new career goals.
When practicing, be sure to have real and specific examples ready to discuss your work and your work-life. I cannot emphasize enough not to utilize AI to formulate your interview responses or your questions for the interviewer. Any well-trained, experienced interviewer will be able to spot this, and it will immediately terminate your candidacy for a role. I know that it is tempting to give in to fear and want to be perfect, but don’t do it. It is better to be a human and make a mistake because at least it will look like you are ready to lead, flaws and all.
Use Data-Driven Insights for Your Salary
If you are now job hunting in the private sector, your salary may not translate exactly as it was. It is best to do some research and find some data-driven insights to drive your decision-making and ensure that you are accepting an offer that meets your short-term and long-term goals.
Remember to take care of yourself in this process. Give yourself space, time, and self-care as you need to avoid burnout. Respect your boundaries and listen to your intuition. Remember, you are amazing, and you will achieve your goals.
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