Robin Schlinger is a career transition from federal/military to civilian expert, and she happens to be my friend. We’ve done some work together so her advice is golden especially during this time of tens of thousands separating from federal work in the U.S:

To identify your next career move, consider the following: 1. Career Trends: With many Federal employees leaving the workplace, it may be more difficult for you to get a position outside the government. Prepare for a search of several months or more.

2. Identify Your Values (Life and Career): What is important to you? Family, money, advancement, etc.

3. Determine Your Skills and What You Enjoy: review what you have enjoyed and succeeded at. Identify skills you no longer want to use. Review what helped you succeed. Remember, what is easiest for you to do may be what others find challenging. That is a clue for where you may want to go.

4. Convert Your Federal Work to Civilian Work: Network, look at job announcements, use AI such as ChatGPT, and check the O*NET Crosswalk.

5. Match Your Accomplishments to Job Announcements - Companies look for people who have done similar work.

6. Fill in Skill Gaps with Training: Companies want folks with current skills that match their needs.

7. Prepare to Write the Goal-Focused Resume: Gather all needed information. Before leaving the government, prepare an I-Love-Me file with all your evaluations, awards, certifications, training certificates, and salary information. Also, get your colleagues' and customers' private phone numbers and email addresses.

If you're still working, I advise you to start your job search now. It’s easier to find a job while employed. As necessary, you’ll become oblivious to job scam offers to-good-to-be-true.

“The Job Scam Report” on Substack is helping thousands increase their knowledge of job scams, be vigilant of potential threats to steal their personal information, and combat them so that we can all job-search safely.

The report includes articles, podcasts, and videos full of resources and strategies to help you navigate this terrible job market.