You Want Out of Government—So Why Haven’t You Left?
You’ve pondered leaving government, yet something keeps drawing you back. Is it the pension, the stability, or the identity tied to this role? Or is it something deeper—a fear of starting fresh, becoming the rookie again, facing challenges you haven’t encountered in years? Do you dread relinquishing your seniority and status?
You tell yourself it’s about timing. A better economy. A clearer path.
It’s natural to want certainty. You’ve spent years in a structured system where the path was clear—pay grades, promotions, and specialized training all mapped out. The private sector doesn’t work that way. There’s no guidebook, no step-by-step plan. But there’s also something else: possibility.
The longer you stay, the easier it is to get comfortable. But comfort isn’t the same as fulfillment. If you’re questioning whether this is still the right path, that’s not something to ignore—it’s something to explore.
You’re not afraid of leaving government. You’re navigating the uncertainty that comes with change. And that’s completely normal. But on the other side of uncertainty? A career that’s defined on your terms.
What’s Holding You Back
People like to blame bureaucracy, politics or a lack of private-sector opportunities for staying put. Those are easy excuses. The real reason most government employees don’t leave? They don’t want to struggle.
You’ve built up expertise. You’re the go-to person in your office. You understand the unspoken rules of how things get done. Walking away from that means walking away from a system where you have control.
In the private sector, you’re suddenly unproven. You have to learn a new way of operating. You have to market yourself—not just as someone competent, but as someone who can solve real business problems. And that shift is brutal if you aren’t prepared for it.
If you’ve been a GS-15, SES, or a senior officer, the idea that you might have to start in a mid-level role can feel like an insult. But the private sector doesn’t care about your title. They care about what you can do for them. How can you make or save them money?
The Mindset Shift No One Talks About
The people who land well outside of government aren’t the ones with the best resumes or the best pedigree. They’re the ones willing to struggle for something better.
That means:
Learning new skills without waiting for a formal training program
Networking like it’s your second job
Adopting the mindset that your experience is an asset, which doesn’t entitle you to anything.
Most people won’t do this. They’ll wait for a headhunter to reach out with the perfect role. They’ll apply to 100 jobs online and wonder why no one bites. They’ll assume private-sector hiring managers will do skill translation for them. They won’t. That’s your job.
What It Takes to Make the Jump
If you want out, you need a plan. Not a vague “I should beef up my resume” plan, but a real strategy. Here’s what that looks like:
Reframing Your Experience for the Private Sector
Hiring managers don’t speak government—they speak results. They won’t be impressed by multi-million-dollar budgets or classified projects unless you translate them into real-world impact.
So instead of:
❌ “Oversaw interagency collaboration to enhance intelligence-sharing frameworks and improve coordination across multiple organizations.”
Try:
✅ “Improved intelligence flow by 30% by streamlining cross-agency teamwork.”
Make your skills matter by showing how they drive measurable results.
Getting Comfortable with Selling Yourself
Government employees aren’t trained to self-promote. It’s often discouraged. How many times do you use “we” instead of “I” when describing success? In the private sector, you have to advocate for yourself.
Building a strong LinkedIn game—your resume alone won’t cut it. Become adept at reaching out to former colleagues who made the transition you’re after.
Being vocal about your expertise—write, speak, engage. Show people what you know.
Understanding the business value of your skills—your leadership experience matters, but only if you can connect it to profitability and efficiency.
Choosing the Right Private-Sector Path
Not all post-government careers are created equal. Some will leverage your existing expertise (e.g., consulting, government contracting). Others will require a full pivot (e.g., tech, finance, startups). You need to decide:
Do you want to stay adjacent to government or break away entirely?
Are you willing to take a short-term step back for long-term growth?
What industries align with your skill set and your interests?
Most people default to the first option that comes their way. That’s how they end up in jobs they hate just months after leaving. Be intentional. Also, you likely won’t get everything you want in the first post-USG job. No problem. That’s what the second and third jobs are for.
Embracing the Struggle
The hardest part isn’t finding a job. It’s accepting that you’ll feel behind. That you won’t know everything. You’ll have to ask dumb questions, learn new terminology and prove yourself all over again.
This is where most people fail. They expect an easy transition, and when it doesn’t happen, they retreat.
The ones who succeed don’t just tolerate the struggle—they embrace it. They treat their career pivot like a mission:
They take courses on their own time
They reach out to people who’ve done it before
They get comfortable with discomfort
It’s not about being the best on day one. It’s about being relentless.
Are You Ready?
Making a big career move can feel overwhelming—you might never feel completely ready. And that’s okay. Opportunity comes with uncertainty, and for a little while, things might feel unfamiliar.
What’s harder is staying in a role you’ve already outgrown, knowing deep down that you’re meant for something more. You deserve a career that excites and fulfills you.
So the real question isn’t if you can take this step.
It’s whether you’re ready to trust yourself and move toward the future you want.
Here’s What Will Get You Hired
If you’re ready to make your move, these resources will show you exactly how to land a tech role. Pick what fits your situation best:
🔥 Networking 101 Course → A step-by-step system to build and leverage your network. Real case studies, proven scripts and strategies that get results.
🤝 Private Group → Get personalized guidance, 1v1 support and camaraderie from fellow aspiring former feds. These people are interviewing with a16z portfolio companies and landing roles at Anduril and Palantir.
🧭 Coaching → Your next move shouldn’t be a shot in the dark. Get tailored strategies, insider tactics, and straight-to-the-point guidance to break into tech—faster. No fluff, no guesswork. Just results.
