We’re observing more movement between the public and private sectors than ever before. Whether you’re on contract with a Canadian federal department, or working at a college or university, it can be hard to feel confident about what’s next.
Contract activities are slowing down, and many have been affected by budget cuts and mass layoffs. Maybe you have already been impacted or observed your colleagues exploring other options.
This guide is for you, whether you are serious about a change or simply doing your research. We’ll walk through how to approach the shift, optimize your resume, and prepare for an interview. We’ve even included some AI prompts you can use to make the process more tailored to your specific experience and history.
Big Picture: Where Do You Want To Go?
It’s easy to feel like you should start “panic applying.” But before you do, it helps to reflect on the kind of work you want to do and what that might look like outside the government.
Responsibilities are structured differently between the public and private sectors. In the public sector, roles are often focused on a specific task or mandate. That could mean preparing briefing notes, managing a program, or completing a project.
Roles tend to be broader in the private sector, especially at small or mid-sized companies. A single position might involve scheduling, communications, vendor coordination, and reporting. Job titles can differ between organizations, and the same title may come with very different expectations.
That’s why it helps to have a general direction in mind—what kind of work you enjoy and what type of company you see yourself in. It’ll make the search less overwhelming and help you find more success by focusing on roles that suit your strengths.
💡 Actionable Tips
• What do you like? Identify what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at from your previous positions. Think about what you want more of in your next job.
• Ready for broader responsibilities: In the private sector, one title often covers multiple areas: admin, communication, project management, and more. So, be prepared to take on responsibilities that you don’t usually manage.
• Expect a title change: Depending on the industry and specialty you’d like to head to, an “Executive Assistant” might translate to “Operations Coordinator,” “Project Administrator,” or “Admin Assistant”. How it translates is largely based on your existing responsibilities.
• Do your research: Dig into some companies hiring in those areas, learn about the key players, and look at job postings to see how your skills appear in different settings, even if the titles or team structure aren’t the same.
Bonus tip: Are you struggling to narrow down your career goals? Explore our blog post on how to find better jobs that matches your values.
To find your private sector equivalent:
I’m a [Job title] at [Department name]. Ask me 5 to 10 questions, one at a time, to better understand what I do and what I love about what I do. Then recommend private sector roles where my skills and interests would be a good fit.
Do Your Homework
With a general direction in mind, it’s worth taking some time to get familiar with what’s expected in the private sector. That includes familiarizing yourself with the tools, platforms, and terminology.
Not only will it help you feel more confident to speak the language of the private sector in your resume and interviews, but it also shows potential employers that you’re thinking ahead with a growth-oriented mindset that’s highly sought after.
💡 Actionable Tips
• Scan job postings: Read 5-10 job descriptions for your ideal role. Note repeated terms, tools, and qualifications. This will give you a reference point for what is considered “standard” in the private sector.
• Look into the tools: Private sector tools might feel unfamiliar at first. But many are more intuitive than you’d think.
Refer to the table below for some common equivalents. You can look for tutorials or demos to get a feel for how these tools work. You don’t need to master it yet — just enough to feel comfortable when asked.
To find your private sector equivalent:
I currently use [insert tool name] in my government role. What are the most common equivalents in the private sector in Canada, and what are they used for?
Build a tailored crash course:
I want to learn [insert software] in 3 hours or less. I’d consider myself a [beginner/moderate/advanced] user of [insert government tool or system]. Can you create a learning plan for me and include tutorials or resources that match my skill level?
Work on Your Resume
We review hundreds of public and private sectors resumes every week. The biggest difference? The details of each position and the overall length of the resume.
It’s common for government resumes to list every contract, every responsibility, and every project—sometimes across eight or more pages. Things can add up quickly, especially if you’ve worked on multiple short-term contracts.
However, the private sector values clarity and efficiency. Rather than a full timeline of your work, employers are more interested in the highlights: what you did, why it mattered, and how you can impact the company.
💡 Actionable Tips
• Tailor your resume: Create multiple versions of your resume based on the types of roles you’re targeting (e.g. project coordination, admin, operations, communications).
• Prioritize outcomes: Focus less on listing tasks and more on the results you’ve delivered. Use numbers where possible. For example: “Increased event attendance by 70%” or “Decreased project completion timelines by 20%.”
• Ditch the acronyms: Most private sector hiring managers won’t know what “AS-04” or “PA” means. Speak more about the purpose of the task and simplify wherever possible.
• Group similar roles: If you’ve worked multiple short-term contracts in similar capacities, consider grouping them to avoid unnecessary clutter and repetition.
• Make it skim-friendly: Recruiters often scan resumes in under 30 seconds. Put the most important information near the top of each section. Always use point forms when describing your experience and keep formatting clean and consistent.
To simplify your existing resume:
I’ve been using this resume to apply for government roles. Help me simplify it into clear, point-form bullets that are easier for private-sector recruiters to skim.
Please group similar contracts where appropriate, remove repetitive content, and keep the most relevant accomplishments. If anything sounds too government-specific, suggest a more neutral or private-sector-friendly version.
To tailor your resume:
I’m applying to roles in [insert 2–3 job titles/industries], and I want to tailor my resume for each. Based on what I have for my resume, help me reshape the content for each type of role. I want each version to emphasize different strengths.
Grow Your Network
You’re ready to apply to open roles that interest you by now. To stand out from other applicants, you shouldn’t stop there. Growing your network alongside your applications gives you a better shot at finding roles you may not have seen otherwise and helps get your resume in front of the right people faster.
To do this, you shouldn’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn. It’s one of the main ways private sector professionals connect, stay visible, and discover new opportunities. If you haven’t used it in a while, now’s a great time to update your profile and start reconnecting. Even a few intentional conversations can go a long way.
Don’t doubt the power of a referral. They comprise 45% of internal hires, despite constituting only 7% of all applications. A quick message to a former colleague could be enough to get your resume in front of the right people.
💡 Actionable Tips
• Reconnect with old contacts: Get in touch with former colleagues who’ve made the jump. Ask for their experience and if they’d be open to sharing advice or connections.
• Research networking events: Investigate local networking events and invest time into participating. Networking is a great way to grow your circle, especially in the private sector.
• Find your community: Join LinkedIn, Slack or Facebook groups geared toward professionals transitioning from government, or ones focused on the industries you’re aiming to enter.
• Make it known: Update your LinkedIn profile to “Open for Work” (here’s how). Even if it’s not displayed publicly. Let people know you’re exploring new opportunities. It will let recruiters, like us, know that you’re on the market for a new role, and reach out with opportunities that are aligned with your experience
• Send the connection request: After applying to a job, you should always follow up with a genuine, non-pressure message to the hiring manager (where possible). Here’s an example of impactful outreach:
To update your LinkedIn profile:
Here’s my resume and current LinkedIn summary. Ask me 3 to 5 questions to understand my work style, interests, and future goals better. Then, rewrite my LinkedIn summary to be more engaging and tailored while keeping my tone of voice.
Prep for the Interview
Private sector interviews can feel surprisingly informal or unexpectedly fast if you’re used to interviewing for government or academic roles. In the public sector, interviews follow a structured format: panel interviews, scoring grids, and weeks (if not months) of waiting.
In the private sector, things move quickly and feel more personal. Interviews focus on how you think and react in situations as much as they do on your qualifications. The initial process might involve speaking to someone on a casual phone call or jumping straight into a conversation about how you’d approach a hypothetical situation.
Understanding what to expect can help you feel more prepared.
💡 Actionable Tips
• Expect open ended questions: Not every question should be answered with the STAR method (Situation—Task—Actions—Results). You may get asked open-ended questions like “How would your coworkers describe working with you?” or “How do you approach collaboration in a workplace?” Practice your response naturally and let your personality shine.
• Be ready to answer why you’re transitioning: If you have over a decade of public sector experience, it’d only be fair for the interviewer to question what made you decide to switch. Focus on what you’re looking for in this next chapter (new challenges, more variety, a faster pace) rather than what you’re trying to escape. Keep it forward-looking and aligned with the role you’re applying for.
• Prepare for questions about “fit”: Be ready to talk about your working style, how you collaborate, and how you handle change. Hiring managers and employers are often looking for someone who can adapt quickly, is willing to learn, and contributes to team culture.
• Make it known: Update your LinkedIn profile to “Open for Work”. Even if it’s not displayed publicly. Let people know you’re exploring new opportunities. It will let recruiters, like us, know that you’re on the market for a new role, and reach out with opportunities that are aligned with your experience
• Don’t forget a thank-you note: A quick thank-you note shows gratitude and interest in the role. If you’re not sure what to say, here’s a guide to help you write a genuine one.
Practice for the Interview:
I’m preparing for a(n) [initial/second/final] interview for this role: [paste job description]. I’ll be meeting with [name], who is the [title] at [company]. Based on this, generate realistic interview questions, including behavioural and situational questions that I might be asked, and provide feedback on my responses.
The Road Ahead
The decision to transition into the private sector is not an easy one, and the future can feel uncertain. But with the right tools, direction, and support, it’s doable—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Whether you’re polishing your resume, preparing for your first private sector interview, or still figuring out what role fits you best, take it step by step. The skills and experience you’ve built in the public sector are valuable. It’s just about learning how to reframe them for a different audience.
Here at TAG HR, we’re equipped to help you make that transition. We specialize in staffing roles across legal, accounting, real estate, construction, and more, and we’re always adding new roles to our job board. If you’re ready to apply or want to discuss your options, our team is here to help you confidently navigate your next move.