PPS: Private sector job interviews “tend to focus on storytelling, cultural fit and solving problems." Image: Nopparat Khokthong/Shutterstock.com
In a sign of the times, the Partnership for Public Service has posted advice on resumes, interviewing and other things to know for federal employees who are seeking to move into the private sector.
For example, it says that while federal resumes can be lengthy due to internal government requirements, “Private sector resumes should be results-oriented and tailored to the specific job for which you are applying. Resumes should be no more than two pages.”
Resumes should “speak directly to an employer’s needs using clear, actionable language and metrics”; should focus on problems you helped solve and other accomplishments, rather than on traits such as being a team player or having good communications skills.
Private sector job interviews “tend to focus on storytelling, cultural fit and solving problems,” it says. Research the company and its culture in advance, and during an interview talk about accomplishments and present them in terms how they align with the company’s goals, it says.
“For those who left federal service involuntarily, be truthful. Focus on what you learned during your service, what you are seeking and how the experience clarified your priorities . . . Briefly acknowledge what happened and then pivot the conversation to highlight how it shaped your professional journey,” it says.
If offered a job, it says, remember that while federal compensation “is typically structured and transparent,” private sector compensation “is more variable and negotiable” and may may include bonuses, stock options, 401(k) matching, equity or profit-sharing. “Evaluate the entire offer, not just salary and consider healthcare, schedule flexibility, paid time off, professional development or telework options,” it says.
It adds: “Find a job that you are good at and that other people value. You can always keep looking for a new opportunity if you find that the job you end up in ultimately is not the right fit.”
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