Government to Private Sector: A Translation Guide for Career Transitions
If you're transitioning from government to tech, startups, or corporate roles, your work doesn’t just need a resume update, it needs a language shift!
Use this cheat sheet to translate your impact and show up with credibility in interviews and networking conversations.
Key Terminology Shifts
COB (Close of Business -> EOD (End of Day)
Leave -> PTO (Paid Time Off)
Tour -> Role / Tenure
Performance Appraisal -> Performance Review + KPIs & OKRs
Mission Support -> Operations / Enablement
Agency -> Org / Business Unit
Roles, Power Dynamics & Culture Shifts
HR Rep -> HRBP (HR Business Partner)
OMS / Admin Assistant -> EBP (Executive Business Partner)
Hall File / Corridor Rep -> Professional Brand / Reputation
EEO Complaint -> HR Violation / Ethics Concern
“Tasked with” -> Led / Owned / Built
“Stood up a program” -> Launched / Built / Scaled
“Briefed leadership” -> Presented to Execs / Updated Stakeholders
Metrics, Performance, & Execution
KPI (Key Performance Indicator) = Metric that tracks success (e.g., customer retention, project delivery time, etc)
OKR (Objectives & Key Results) = Quarterly goal-setting framework focused on measurable outcomes
Quarterly Planning = Regular check-ins & re-prioritization cycles
Equity, Pay, & Incentives
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) = Company shares that vest over time
Stock Options = The right to buy stock at a set price - high risk/reward
PPOs (Profit Participation Units) = A share of company profits, different from stock
Bonus / Variable Comp = Pay tied to performance
