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A Major Workforce Shift in the Federal Government

President Donald Trump has initiated significant changes to the federal workforce in the first 10 days of his return to office. On January 29, roughly 2 million federal employees were notified via email of a voluntary buyout program. In effect, federal employees have been offered severance packages should they choose to leave federal service now rather than face the forthcoming changes and likely staff reductions.

While political debates will inevitably surround this move, as an expert in employee outplacement and a Certified Professional Career Coach, my focus is on the impact and process of these workforce adjustments, highlighting the key takeaways for affected employees.

Key Lessons for Employers and Employees from the Federal Buyout Offer

The Positives:

1. Employees Were Given Clear Notice
   Unlike many private sector layoffs, federal employees received a formal communication in advance of potential future changes. The notice is also clear, stating that “the majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force.” This contrasts with recent corporate layoffs, such as those at FEV Tutor, where employees were caught off guard with little or no warning.
2. Generous Severance Packages (maybe)
   The buyout appears to offer nearly eight months of pay and benefits for those who opt-in. Despite media reports, it is unclear what level of work will be required during this time, noting that the employee opting in understands their resignation may necessitate changes such as moving, eliminating, consolidating, or reassigning their position and tasks, reducing their official duties, and/or placing them on paid administrative leave until their resignation date. Assuming it is treated as a typical severance offering (where no further work is required), this across-the-board offer is significantly more than the typical private-sector severance for the average-tenured federal employee. On average, private-sector severance packages, if offered, average one to two weeks of pay per year of service.

The Opportunities for Improvement:

1. Lack of Clarity
   While the memo is clear that major change is coming, it does not provide specifics on the impacts to individual employees. For example, it doesn’t say if certain career levels, designations, locations, etc. are more at risk than others, leaving employees uncertain about their long-term employment prospects.
2. Limited Career Transition Support
   There is no mention of career transition assistance for those opting to end their federal service. Moving from a federal job to the private sector presents unique challenges, and additional resources could help ease the transition, increase the desirability of the buyout, and improve morale for the remaining workforce. This may be of particular benefit considering the other changes announced, which have stunned many employees.

Preparing for the Transition: What Federal Employees Should Consider

For those contemplating the buyout, there are two crucial factors to evaluate:

1. Job Search Timeline
   Research suggests that the average job search lasts between 5 to 8 months—roughly aligning with the severance package.
2. Resume Adjustments for the Private Sector
   Federal resumes often span 10 pages or more and will need to be condensed to about two pages (highly dependent on experience) for the private sector. In addition, the content needs substantial revisions so that its focus is on measurable achievements and transferable skills.

Employees eying the exit should also take the time to optimize LinkedIn profiles, as approximately 95% of recruiters use the platform to source talent.

Final Thoughts: A Daunting but Manageable Shift

Facing a potential layoff is daunting. As a Certified Professional Career Coach, I work with individuals navigating job uncertainty daily. While no one wants to be forced into a career transition, federal employees who plan strategically can leverage their severance to secure new opportunities.

The key takeaway? If you’re considering the buyout, start preparing now. Update your resume, enhance your LinkedIn presence, and develop a clear job search strategy. The challenge is real, but with the right approach, new opportunities await.