TRANSITIONING YOUR FEDERAL RESUME TO PRIVATE INDUSTRY

Troutman, the founder of resume writing service Resume Place, aims to expand federal government employees’ job searches in a multistep book on resume and cover letter writing.

The author’s approach to resume writing is eightfold. The first step asks federal workers to update their resumes by adding new roles, training, or certifications, and separating their job duties from key accomplishments. Next, Troutman recommends searching for job postings on sites such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and CareerBuilder, and tailoring one’s resume to each specific position. The third step is writing out three top career accomplishments in 10 words each, and the author suggests using ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to assist with the fourth step, in which one inputs a job’s duties and requirements and asks the AI assistant for “10 keyword phrases, 3 words each” to incorporate into a resume. The fifth step involves a “Matching Strategy” table, in which the first column lists a job’s requirements, and the second identifies relevant experience. Writing a two-page private industry resume is the sixth step, which requires reducing a resume into a tight, two- to three-page document describing the job seeker’s current job in three fact-filled paragraphs; previous jobs are allotted one paragraph each; and awards and honors sections allow candidates to stand out, the author asserts. The seventh step relies on using her company’s Resume Place Cover Letter Builder, which, she says, will produce a cover letter with bullet points. The eighth and final step suggests updating one’s LinkedIn profile, paying particular attention to the “About” section and a list of “Core Competencies.”

Troutman offers readers a practical, actionable guide to ease their transition to searching for a position outside the federal government. The book’s straightforward tone and structured format help readers focus on getting results without supplying unnecessary filler. The incorporation of AI tools, whether one wishes to use them or not, reflects the changing landscape of modern employment, and side-by-side comparison charts and resume samples clearly illustrate the book’s suggestions and make the author’s advice tangible. However, the book’s no-nonsense format may fail to engage readers who might desire more explanation about why each step is essential. The work often lacks personality, and it reads like a repetitive instruction manual in lines such as “Look at the top accomplishments from the sample resumes. Make a list of your top accomplishments to add into your resume.” Although this guide may help readers to produce resumes quickly, the author could have valuably included real-life stories of job seekers using these resumes to make it feel more human-centered. Humor would have also lightened the mood, as job-seeking can often be a stressful experience. The guide also doesn’t touch on next steps—specifically, a rundown of essential interviewing skills or tips on pivoting to the private sector after exclusively worked in government settings. The author also assumes a level of digital fluency and formatting skill that may not be universal among members of the target audience; troubleshooting tips and template recommendations might have help to make the resume-writing experience more accessible.

A pragmatic resume-writing guide that lacks a holistic approach.