I was recently coaching a federal employee who was gearing up for a second-round interview with a major private sector employer. He’d already had one interview, and while he didn’t land that first role, getting to the interview stage at all is a huge win in today’s cutthroat job market. It’s especially tough out there for federal employees making the leap to private industry. So, the fact that this employer kept bringing him back? That’s not just a good sign; it’s a great sign.
As we talked through his interview prep, he told me he wanted to “address the elephant in the room.” Naturally, I asked him what he meant. He said he wanted to proactively bring up the fact that he’s a federal employee with no private sector experience.
Here’s what I told him, and it’s something I want every job seeker, especially those coming from government, to hear:
There is no elephant in the room!
If you’ve made it to the interview stage, the hiring team already knows where you’ve worked. They’ve seen your resume. They’re well aware you’re coming from the federal space, and they still want to talk to you. That means they see value in your experience, even if it doesn’t perfectly align with a corporate background.
In fact, in places like Washington, D.C., many candidates are federal employees. It’s not unusual, it’s the norm.
Bringing up your “lack” of private sector experience in an interview doesn’t make you look self-aware. It makes you look insecure. And insecurity can be loud.
Instead, focus your energy where it really counts:
- What are the skills and competencies this employer is looking for?
- How has your federal experience prepared you to meet those needs?
- What examples can you share that show you’re ready to deliver in this new environment?
It’s so easy in the job search to overthink, to dwell on what we think might be wrong with our background, and to project our own insecurities onto others. But here’s the truth: most people aren’t thinking about your weaknesses nearly as much as you are. They’re thinking about whether you can solve their problems and add value to their team.
So the next time you walk into an interview, don’t spend your time apologizing for your background. Spend your time demonstrating how you’re ready to make a difference.
You don’t need to defend your story. You just need to own it.
You’re further along than you think. You’ve got this. 👊