Assistance for Residents Affected by Federal Workforce Reductions

Published on November 07, 2024

Over 30,000 federal employees live in the City of Alexandria and Arlington County, many of whom may be affected by federal workforce reductions. Here are some resources to support our residents during their transition. 
Unemployment Insurance Assistance

Per U.S. Department of Labor, to receive unemployment insurance benefits, you need to file a claim with the unemployment insurance program in the state where you worked. Depending on the state, claims may be filed in person, by telephone, or online. Here is where to file in the tri-state area:

Local, Regional, & State Resources
Financial Resources

Finding Your Next Job

Updating Your Resume
To transition a federal government resume to a civilian resume, focus on translating your detailed government job duties and accomplishments into concise, action-oriented statements that highlight relevant skills and achievements, using common industry terminology, and generally shortening the length to fit a standard 1-2 page civilian resume format while still emphasizing key qualifications for the desired civilian role; avoid overly technical government jargon and acronyms. 
Key points to consider when converting a federal resume to a civilian resume:
  • Simplify language: Replace government-specific terms with their civilian equivalents. For example, "program manager" instead of "project officer," "stakeholder engagement" instead of "interagency coordination." 
  • Focus on results: Quantify your achievements with numbers and percentages to demonstrate the impact of your work. 
  • Tailor to each job: Customize your resume for each civilian position by highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences listed in the job description. 
  • Condense details: While federal resumes often require extensive detail, civilian resumes can be more concise, focusing on key accomplishments and responsibilities. 
  • Remove unnecessary information: Eliminate details like agency-specific acronyms, occupational series numbers, and overly technical jargon that may not be familiar to private sector hiring managers. 

Example of translating federal government experience to civilian terms:

Federal role:
"Managed a team of analysts responsible for developing and implementing budget proposals for a large federal agency."

Civilian translation:
"Led a team of financial analysts in crafting and executing strategic budget plans, resulting in $X million in cost savings." 

Areas to highlight on a civilian resume:
  • Technical skills: Specific software proficiency, data analysis skills, project management tools. 
  • Leadership experience: Managing teams, supervising staff, delegating tasks. 
  • Problem-solving abilities: Identifying issues, developing solutions, implementing improvements. 
  • Communication skills: Effective written and verbal communication, stakeholder engagement. 
Important considerations:
  • Review job descriptions carefully: Analyze each civilian job posting to identify the key skills and qualifications they are seeking. 
  • Use a standard resume format: Opt for a chronological or functional format depending on your career goals. 
  • Proofread thoroughly: Ensure your resume is free from errors and presents a professional image. 
Supporting Yourself
When facing a layoff, it's important to acknowledge your emotions, take time to process the situation, review your severance package, update your resume, reach out to your network, create a budget, explore temporary work options, and actively start your job search while also prioritizing your mental health by seeking support from friends, family, or a professional if needed. 
Key steps to take after being laid off:
  • Acknowledge your emotions:
    Don't try to suppress your feelings; allow yourself to grieve the loss of your job and feel the emotional impact. 
  • Review your severance package:
    Understand the details of your severance pay, continuation of benefits, and any outplacement services offered by your employer. 
  • Contact your network:
    Inform your professional contacts that you are available for new opportunities and seek potential leads or referrals. 
  • Update your resume and online profiles:
    Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences for your desired roles. 
  • Create a budget:
    Assess your financial situation and create a budget to manage your expenses while job searching. 
  • Explore temporary or contract work:
    Consider taking on temporary assignments or freelance work to maintain income while actively seeking permanent employment. 
  • Start your job search:
    Utilize online job boards, professional networking platforms, and reach out to recruiters to identify suitable opportunities. 
  • Seek support:
    Talk to friends, family, or a therapist to manage stress and maintain emotional well-being. 
  • Consider career development:
    Use this time to reflect on your career goals, identify potential skills to develop, and explore new career paths. 
  • File for unemployment benefits:
    Understand your eligibility for unemployment benefits and initiate the application process. 

Skill-Up City of Alexandria and Arlington County

Through a partnership with Metrix Learning, City of Alexandria, and Arlington County are offering FREE online training for our residents and employers. Over 5,500 career readiness trainings, occupational skills trainings, career pathways trainings and more.

Click Here To Skill-Up

 

Locations

Virginia Career Works Alexandria Center

 

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