Changes to the federal government could lead to job cuts in 2025. Here’s how federal employees can get ahead of public service layoffs to find your next opportunity.
Article Highlights
- Understanding the Proposed Federal Government Restructuring
- 7 Strategies for Moving Forward After Federal Job Cuts
- Actionable Next Steps for Securing Your New Position
Experienced federal employees are used to procedure change, policy shift, and significant adjustment between administrations.
However, the federal government restructuring proposed by President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), if enacted, would change the face of the federal government dramatically—and could result in federal job cuts affecting up to a million workers (Embrich).
Understanding the Proposed Federal Government Restructuring
According to President Trump, DOGE will not operate inside the federal government but will instead “‘provide advice and guidance’ from outside the executive branch and work closely with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to propose cuts” (Katz).
The goal of DOGE is to reduce regulation, spending, and waste. Previously, DOGE co-chair Vivek Ramaswamy proposed "large-scale, mass layoffs" that would lead to the elimination of 75% of the federal workforce.
DOGE is part of a larger conservative policy agenda called Project 2025, which was written by former members of the Trump administration and a conservative think tank called The Heritage Foundation. It introduces extensive policy modifications that would drastically alter governmental and social frameworks and affect the lives of every American. The proposed federal job cuts are just one aspect of the extreme restructuring included in the plan.
While it is unclear how much of Project 2025 will materialize, it is likely that significant federal government restructuring, including public service layoffs, will occur. President Trump also announced a return-to-office mandate on his first day back in office, ending remote work for federal employees.
These massive shifts in the federal workforce present obvious challenges for workers—but prepared federal employees can find opportunities here as well. Here’s how.
7 Strategies for Moving Forward After Federal Job Cuts
1. Identify opportunities and transferable skills
Start by assessing your skillset and identifying transferable skills that can be applied to other roles inside or outside the government. A few examples of easily transferable skills include:
- Leadership
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Conflict resolution
- And many more!
To identify job-specific transferable skills, first identify what you want your next role to be. Research in-demand jobs in the public sector that are less likely to be affected by federal restructuring.
State and local governments are likely to offer more-stable opportunities while still providing all the benefits of working in public service. How do you find roles at the state and local levels of government? Use resources like GovernmentJobs.com.
Now is also the time to rewrite your resume, highlighting your achievements and aligning your experience with high-demand opportunities. Focus on showcasing your expertise in areas like project management, data analysis, cybersecurity, or public health—fields that are likely to remain crucial regardless of federal government restructuring. You can even tailor multiple versions of your resume to the different types of roles you're interested in pursuing.
2. Network inside and outside your agency
Networking is one of the most powerful tools for career transition. If you don’t have a large network, or you’re not sure where to begin, start within your current agency. You already have your work friends—but you can dramatically grow your network and form new relationships by:
- Attending interdepartmental meetings
- Volunteering for cross-functional projects
- Engaging with colleagues from different divisions
How do you build a networking relationship? Discuss your passions and goals for the future, and be enthusiastic about hearing theirs as well. Don’t forget to exchange contact information so you can stay in touch in the future.
Moving outside your agency, one of the best ways to network is to join professional associations related to your area of expertise. These organizations frequently host events, like webinars and conferences, that can be excellent networking opportunities. You can also leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field and join government-focused groups.
Also, don't underestimate the power of informational interviews. Reach out to people in roles or organizations you're interested in to learn more about their career paths—but don’t make the interaction transactional. In your job search, treating people like people rather than stepping stones will go a long way.
3. Upskill and reskill
In a rapidly changing job market, staying competitive means always improving. If you want more security in your next role, identify skills that are in high demand in the public sector, and take certification courses for them. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning offer different options, some of which are specifically tailored to government roles.
Public servants should also take advantage of training programs offered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and their own agency's training department. These programs are designed to help federal employees develop skills that are directly applicable to government roles—which will be transferable to the state or local level.
What skills should you focus on? It depends on what you want your next role to look like—but some of the fastest-growing jobs in public service include:
- Computer science
- Data science
- Management analytics
- Health management
- Emergency management
4. Leverage internal job boards and external resources
Another strategy for turning a layoff into an opportunity is to leverage both internal job boards and external resources. If you would like to stay at your agency but your role is set to be eliminated, job posts open to current employees only can provide a clear opportunity and a smoother transition.
If you’re not interested in trying to stay at your current agency—or if there’s a possibility that your agency will be eliminated—utilize external tools focused on the public sector. Job search platforms like GovernmentJobs.com are priceless resources for finding opportunities across multiple levels of government in nearly any location.
In fact, on GovernmentJobs.com, you can set up Access Membership to appear as a priority applicant to posting agencies and to receive tailored job opportunities that align with your skills and experience. Remember that many government jobs have specific application processes and deadlines, so staying organized and being prepared to act quickly when you find the right opportunity is critical.
5. Consider consulting or freelancing
The gig economy offers many opportunities for former government employees to capitalize on their specialized knowledge. To get started, identify your niche based on your strongest skills. Is it policy analysis? Project management? Regulatory compliance? Figure out what it is, and then:
- Create a professional portfolio showcasing your expertise
- Explore platforms like Upwork for beginning contract work
- Reach out to your professional network for opportunities
Additionally, “government consulting” is its own role—and average salaries range from $72,000 to $117,000 annually (ZipRecruiter). Consulting is available in almost every field, and you can find these positions on GovernmentJobs.com as well.
6. Explore lateral moves within the government
If you’re facing a layoff, don’t be afraid to look into lateral moves. While vertical promotions typically offer better compensation, lateral moves can lead to unexpected and exciting career paths.
Look for opportunities to transfer to different agencies that align with your skills and interests—or if you’re passionate about your current work, a position similar to your current role at a different level of government. A successful transition will be easier if you are open to opportunities at the same grade level that offer potential for growth or allow you to develop new skills.
7. Pursue roles in state and local governments
State and local governments have job openings in which you can apply your federal experience but won’t be affected by federal government restructuring and public service layoffs.
Bringing federal expertise to your state or local government is a great way to maximize your impact closer to home. These positions offer more stability as well as the opportunity to continue serving the public in a different—but equally important—capacity.
How do you make the leap? Research the specific needs of state and local governments in areas where you have experience and interest. For example, if your previous roles are in federal environmental policy, you might find great opportunities in a state environmental protection agency.
Local governments often need professionals with experience in areas like urban planning, public safety, or community development, so if those are your strengths, municipal governments are probably the right place for you to look.
(P.S. You can find these roles on GovernmentJobs.com.)
Should You Stay in the Public Sector?
The short answer is yes. The proposed federal government restructuring poses huge challenges for federal workers—but you work in public service because you want to make a difference.
Government roles offer unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact on society, and despite looming public service layoffs, they often provide greater job stability and better benefits than roles than the private sector.
There are many rapidly growing, high-demand areas of expertise in state, county, city, and local governments that need passionate public service workers like you. They provide a sense of purpose and the opportunity to contribute to the greater good that other sectors simply don’t.
Actionable Next Steps for Securing Your New Position
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight transferable skills and achievements relevant to your target roles.
- Set up job alerts on government job boards and platforms like GovernmentJobs.com for positions matching your skills and interests.
- Reach out to your professional network and schedule informational interviews with individuals in roles or organizations you're interested in.
- Identify skill gaps based on job descriptions for your target roles and enroll in relevant training or certification programs.
- Research agencies and departments aligned with your expertise and interests, focusing on those less likely to be affected by federal government restructuring.
- Prepare for potential interviews by practicing your responses to common questions and developing compelling stories that showcase your problem-solving skills and adaptability.
- Stay informed about the progress of the restructuring plans and be prepared to adapt your strategy as soon as new information becomes available.
Federal government restructuring has the potential to affect hundreds of thousands of federal workers. For most, this will be an unpleasant and unexpected transition. However, with the right preparation and a proactive strategy, you can turn this period of transition into a catalyst for career growth and personal development.
Step in your future and stay in service. Find your next public sector opportunity on GovernmentJobs.com.
