fed2civ

GS-0901 General Legal And Kindred Administration Transition Guide

Explore how your federal experience as a General Legal And Kindred Administration (GS-0901) translates into civilian opportunities — including salary comparisons, transferable skills, certifications, and top employers.

GS Level Mappings

Understand how your GS level aligns with common corporate roles, responsibilities, and compensation. This helps frame your experience in terms that civilian employers recognize.

GS Level Group Corporate Titles Responsibilities Salary Range
1-4 Legal Assistant, Paralegal, Legal Clerk Provide support to attorneys by conducting legal research, preparing legal documents, maintaining client files, and managing schedules. Ensure compliance with legal procedures and assist in administrative duties. $35,000 - $45,000
5-7 Legal Analyst, Junior Associate Attorney, Compliance Specialist Assist in preparing legal documents and contracts, conduct research on legal precedents, and support compliance and regulatory activities. Analyze legal issues and draft memoranda to assist senior attorneys. $50,000 - $70,000
8-9 Associate Attorney, Senior Legal Analyst, Compliance Officer Provide legal expertise on various matters, represent clients in legal proceedings, review and draft contracts, and ensure adherence to regulations. Collaborate with other departments to mitigate legal risks and provide strategic guidance. $80,000 - $110,000
10-11 Senior Associate Attorney, Legal Counsel, Senior Compliance Manager Lead legal consultation efforts, manage complex legal cases, oversee compliance programs, and provide legal opinions on business matters. Mentor junior staff and contribute to strategic organizational decisions. $120,000 - $150,000
12-13 Managing Attorney, Director of Legal Affairs, Chief Compliance Officer Oversee the legal team, establish legal policies, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, and represent the organization in negotiations. Develop legal strategies that align with business objectives and guide executive management. $160,000 - $200,000
14-15 Vice President of Legal Affairs, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary Direct and manage all legal activities within the corporation, provide high-level legal advice to the board and senior executives, drive corporate governance, and oversee risk management strategies. Cultivate a culture of compliance and legal awareness across the organization. $220,000 - $300,000
SES Chief Legal Officer (CLO), Executive Vice President of Legal Affairs, Senior Vice President of Compliance and Risk Management Strategize and manage all legal and compliance functions at the highest executive level, represent the organization in legal matters at a national or international level, and shape the overall legal strategy to support corporate objectives. Guide risk management and governance policies within the organization. $300,000 - $500,000

Transferable Skills

Highlight the skills you've developed in federal service that directly apply to private sector roles. These core strengths help you stand out in interviews and on resumes.

  • • Legal Research: Ability to conduct thorough research on laws, regulations, and legal precedents, which is applicable in legal consulting and compliance roles.
  • • Analytical Thinking: Strong capability to analyze complex legal information and situations, valuable in roles that require problem-solving and critical thinking.
  • • Documentation and Reporting: Proficient in preparing legal documents, reports, and briefs, transferable to any job requiring written communication and attention to detail.
  • • Advisory Skills: Experience advising on legal matters and best practices, useful in corporate roles such as risk management or policy development.
  • • Interpersonal Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for interaction with clients, stakeholders, and team members, applicable in client-facing positions.
  • • Negotiation: Skills in negotiating legal agreements and settlements, useful in contract management and business development roles.
  • • Project Management: Competence in managing legal projects or cases, transferable to any managerial position that requires planning and execution.
  • • Understanding of Regulatory Frameworks: In-depth knowledge of federal regulations and laws can be useful in compliance roles in various industries.
  • • Confidentiality and Ethical Standards: Maintaining privacy and ethical standards in handling sensitive information, critical in HR and corporate governance roles.

Certifications & Education

Explore certifications and academic paths that enhance your value in the civilian job market. These credentials can bridge gaps and validate your expertise to employers.

  • Certified Paralegal (CP)

    The Certified Paralegal credential demonstrates a high level of expertise and professionalism in legal processes and procedures, which aligns closely with the responsibilities of the GS-0901 series. This certification enhances employability by validating skills in legal research, writing, and case management, making candidates more attractive to law firms and corporate legal departments.

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)

    The PMP certification provides a solid foundation in project management principles that can be directly applied to legal project management tasks, prevalent in the GS-0901 roles. Civilians with this certification gain an edge by showcasing their ability to oversee legal projects efficiently, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to legal standards.

  • Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

    Participating in CLE courses ensures that individuals stay current with legal trends, regulations, and best practices, which is particularly beneficial for those in the GS-0901 series. This ongoing education not only broadens legal knowledge but also signals commitment to professional development, which is highly valued by civilian employers.

  • Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)

    The CIPP certification focuses on privacy laws and regulations, a growing concern for many organizations handling sensitive information, including legal entities. This credential is especially pertinent for GS-0901 professionals tasked with ensuring compliance with privacy practices, providing a competitive advantage in the civilian job market.

  • Notary Public Certification

    Being a certified Notary Public is advantageous for individuals in the GS-0901 job series as it involves the authentication of legal documents, a common requirement in both federal and civilian sectors. This credential can enhance credibility and perceived reliability as legal technicians or paralegals in private firms.

  • Legal Compliance Certification (LCC)

    The LCC focuses on the principles of compliance with legal standards across industries, making it relevant for those transitioning from GS-0901 roles to civilian positions. Holding this certification demonstrates an understanding of regulations and compliance that many companies require in their legal departments.

Typical Employers

See which companies and industries commonly hire professionals with your background. Use this insight to focus your job search and tailor your applications.

  • Law Firms
  • Corporate Legal Departments
  • Government Contracting Firms
  • Nonprofit Organizations
  • Financial Institutions
  • Educational Institutions (Colleges and Universities)
  • Healthcare Organizations
  • Insurance Companies
  • Consulting Firms specializing in legal compliance
  • Real Estate Firms

Career Transition Advice

Get practical strategies to navigate the shift from federal to private sector work. Learn how to present your experience and avoid common transition pitfalls.

  • Identify transferable skills: Highlight skills that are applicable in the private sector, such as legal research, regulatory compliance, and negotiation techniques, to align your federal experience with civilian job requirements.
  • Network strategically: Connect with professionals in your desired industry through LinkedIn and local networking events to gain insights and opportunities in the legal field outside of federal employment.
  • Tailor your resume: Customize your resume to emphasize accomplishments and specific experiences that demonstrate your legal expertise, using civilian terminology to make your background more relatable to hiring managers.
  • Consider additional certifications: Pursuing certifications relevant to your desired role, such as paralegal certification or compliance specialist training, can enhance your employability and demonstrate your commitment to the transition.
  • Practice for interviews: Prepare for interviews by framing your federal experiences in a way that emphasizes adaptability and real-world applications, focusing on how your background can solve problems in a civilian context.

Industry Trends

Stay informed on how your field is evolving and where opportunities are growing. These trends can guide your next steps and help you future-proof your career.

  • 📈 Increasing demand for legal professionals in government to navigate complex regulations and compliance issues.
  • 📈 Greater focus on ethical standards and transparency leading to more positions for legal advisors and compliance officers.
  • 📈 Expansion of digital legal services and technology creating opportunities in legal research and documentation automation.
  • 📈 Heightened awareness and implementation of legal reforms related to civil rights, privacy, and data protection driving job growth in those areas.
  • 📈 Increased inter-agency collaboration necessitating legal professionals with skills in negotiation and conflict resolution.

General Transition Advice

Transitioning to the Private Sector from a Federal GS-0901 Role

Transitioning from a federal General Legal and Kindred Administration (GS-0901) role to a private sector job can be a rewarding experience, but it does require a significant shift in mindset and strategy. Below are comprehensive tips that encompass essential mindset shifts, resume and interview advice, networking strategies, and guidance on translating your federal experience into language that resonates with private sector employers.

Mindset Shifts

  1. Embrace Change: Transitioning from the structured environment of federal service to the often less rigid private sector means embracing change. Be open to new ideas, workflows, and company cultures.
  2. Value of Results: In the private sector, results are often prioritized over processes. Become comfortable discussing the outcomes and impacts of your work, focusing on how you've added value rather than just describing your duties.
  3. Be Agile: Adaptability is key in the private sector. Be prepared to pivot, take on new roles, or tackle unexpected challenges that may arise.
  4. Customer-Focused Mindset: Federal roles often prioritize compliance. Conversely, the private sector emphasizes customer satisfaction and growth. Anticipate questions that pertain to how your work will benefit customers or clients.
  5. Shorter Timelines: Understand that private sector projects may have tighter deadlines and quicker decision-making processes. Cultivate the ability to deliver results swiftly and efficiently.

Resume Tips

  1. Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application. Highlight experiences and accomplishments that align with the skills and attributes sought in the private sector role you are applying for.
  2. Use Industry Language: Replace federal jargon with terminology that resonates in the private sector. For instance, instead of saying “regulatory compliance,” you might say “client satisfaction” or “risk management.”
  3. Quantify Achievements: Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate your achievements. For example, “Reduced legal processing time by 30% through process improvements,” is more impactful than “Improved processing time.”
  4. Highlight Transferable Skills: Focus on skills you’ve gained, such as critical thinking, project management, and negotiation abilities, which are valuable regardless of the sector.
  5. Professional Format: Use a clean, professional format. Ensure it is easy to read, with clear headings and bullet points that draw the eye to key information.

Interview Tips

  1. Prepare for Behavioral Questions: Expect questions about past experiences. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to structure your responses and clearly communicate your contributions.
  2. Show Enthusiasm: Employers in the private sector want to see your passion for their industry. Research the company and articulate why you want to work there specifically.
  3. Demonstrate Cultural Fit: Companies often assess whether a candidate will fit within their culture. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with the company’s mission and culture.
  4. Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare questions that reflect your understanding of the company and its challenges. This shows your interest and critical thinking capabilities.
  5. Follow Up: After the interview, send a thank you email reiterating your interest in the role and reflecting on a key discussion point from the interview. This not only shows professionalism but also keeps you in the interviewer's mind.

Networking Strategies

  1. Leverage Existing Connections: Reach out to former federal colleagues who have successfully transitioned to the private sector. They can provide valuable insights and potential referrals.
  2. Utilize LinkedIn: Optimize your LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills and aspirations. Engage with content relevant to your target industry and connect with professionals in your desired field.
  3. Attend Industry Events: Participate in conferences, webinars, and local meetups in your target industry to build relationships and learn about the market. Networking events are excellent for making connections that could lead to job opportunities.
  4. Join Professional Organizations: Become a member of relevant professional organizations and associations that cater to your career interests. These often have job boards and networking opportunities that can be beneficial.
  5. Informational Interviews: Request meetings with professionals in your field of interest to discuss their career paths and insights. This approach can generate valuable connections and insights.

Translating Federal Experience

  1. Focus on Results and Impact: Immediately convey the impact of your work in quantitative terms. Private sector employers appreciate achievements that demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness.
  2. Employ Similar Benchmarks: For projects, align your experiences with similar benchmarks in the private sector. For example, federal procurement processes can be likened to supply chain management in a corporation.
  3. Highlight Skills in a Business Context: Frame your skills within a business context. If you’ve done legal research, indicate how that contributed to compliance, risk management, or strategy—elements that businesses need to thrive.
  4. Adapt Approaches to Business Goals: Show how your work aligns with overarching business strategies, such as revenue generation, market expansion, or customer experience enhancement.
  5. Utilize Keywords: Research job postings in your target field and integrate keyphrases from those postings into your resume and conversations. This helps present your experience as directly applicable and relevant.

Conclusion

While transitioning from federal employment to the private sector can be daunting, maintaining a positive and proactive mindset is crucial. Embrace the change, leverage your experiences, refine your approach, and seek out opportunities to learn and connect. Your background in government service equips you with valuable skills that many private sector employers seek—embrace them as a unique selling point in your career transition.