Leaving a government job can happen for various reasons, from administrative and department shifts to major life changes to the desire for a new work challenge. Whatever the reason, making the leap from the public sector to the private sector is a huge move, and figuring out where to land can be intimidating. To make the change as comfortable as possible, it’s vital to have the information you need to transfer your skills, match them to a field that suits your goals, and set yourself up for a successful transition.
Many government employees spend the bulk of their careers in a specialized department or field; as a result, leaving government work can lead to concerns that their experience is too niche to transfer well into a new role. However, government jobs share plenty of skills with the private sector, and a closer look at your responsibilities can turn up experience that looks great across fields. For instance, government employees often develop expertise in budgeting, compliance, regulation, and policy development, which can be brought into management roles to ensure that businesses comply with regulations, improve their existing processes, and meet their goals.
Government work is also great for developing interpersonal skills such as clear communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving. Many government jobs involve working with large teams, other departments, or the public, and succeeding in those roles requires establishing rapport with different groups and getting ideas across in a productive way. Similarly, working in business often involves meeting with stakeholders, consumers, and fellow team members to find common ground and reach mutual goals. People-facing roles allow government employees to bring their existing communication and teamwork skills to the public sector.