Leveraging AI to Transform Your Federal Resume for the Private Sector

After almost 30 years of military service, someone dear to my heart — let’s call them “Captain Humble” — decided it was time to retire and join the private sector. They had managed multimillion-dollar operations, led dozens of enlisted people, and knew more than 50 ways to make a bed. But when it came to their civilian resume, it was like suddenly they didn’t have any experience at all! They’d crafted a resume aimed at an entry-level role. I nearly spilled my coffee all over their resume — entry-level after nearly THREE DECADES of experience? Absolutely not! Out came my trusty red pen as I rewrote and translated their federal accomplishments into private-sector lingo.

Despite my best “gentle suggestions” to apply for a higher-level position, they still sent off their revised resume for an entry-level job (talk about selling yourself short!). What more could I do? As the old adage says, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” Then the unthinkable happened. The HR folks took a look at their experience and said, “Hold up, this isn’t entry-level material!” They literally canceled the application and moved it to a senior position. Boom! Hired on the spot.

Bridging the Gap: The Translation Challenge

The gap between government service to the private sector can feel like trying to leap across the Grand Canyon. But understanding these key differences is the first step to building a bridge across it.

• Speaking the Right Language: While government positions focus on regulations, policies, and procedures, the language in the private sector shifts to business impact, revenue generation, and efficiency metrics — same skills, different vocabulary.
• Recognizing Value: Many government employees, like our Captain Humble, undervalue their experience simply because they’re used to speaking “government.” They often don’t realize that their leadership, strategic thinking, and operational expertise are highly prized in the private sector.

How AI Can Help Transform Your Resume

Now, Captain Humble didn’t need new skills — they just needed to tell their story in a different way. While I didn’t have AI as my sidekick back then, you absolutely have it today to accomplish exactly what I did manually. Think of AI as your personal translator, fluent in both “government speak” and “corporate lingo”. Here’s how:

• Scan for Keywords: Let AI analyze job descriptions to pull out industry buzzwords that match your government experience.
• Show the Metrics: AI can help restructure your accomplishments to focus on quantifiable results — because private-sector employers love a good metric.
• Modernize your language: AI can help convert government terminology into contemporary business language.

When you’re done, review AI’s suggestions and add your personal voice. After all, no robot knows you better than you do. Remember, transitioning from government service to the private sector isn’t about starting over. It’s about reframing your valuable experience for a new audience. With AI as your translation tool, you can bridge the gap between government service and the private sector, ensuring your decades of experience get the recognition they deserve.

Adeline (Addy) Maissonet is a Procurement Analyst for the Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). She serves as a senior advisor on contracting policies and procedures and the agency’s representative on the Department’s views on proposed legislation to Congressional members, their staff, and committee staffers. Prior to her current role, Addy served as a Division Chief and Contracting Officer with unlimited warrant authority for the U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) – Fort Eustis, Virginia. Addy holds an MBA in Management and Contracting Level III Certification under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act. She is a graduate from Cornell University’s Executive Leadership Certificate Program. In her free time, Addy enjoys hiking and overlanding with her family and friends.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense.

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