Explore how your federal experience as a Visual Information (GS-1084) translates into civilian opportunities — including salary comparisons, transferable skills, certifications, and top employers.
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 | Junior Graphic Designer, Visual Designer (Entry Level), Production Artist | Assists in the creation of visual materials, designs graphics for presentations, and supports senior designers in their projects. This entry-level role includes basic design tasks and mastering design software under supervision. | $35,000 - $48,000 |
| 5-7 | Graphic Designer, Visual Designer, Junior Art Director | Develops visual content for various media, collaborates with project managers and clients to meet design specifications, and executes creative concepts in alignment with brand guidelines. Responsible for producing layouts and typographic decisions. | $48,000 - $65,000 |
| 8-9 | Senior Graphic Designer, Art Director, Brand Designer | Leads design projects from concept to execution, mentoring junior designers, and ensuring high-quality visual solutions are delivered on time. Involved in strategic brand development and client communications. | $65,000 - $85,000 |
| 10-11 | Creative Manager, Lead Designer, Design Team Lead | Oversees the creative direction of projects, manages design teams, and collaborates with marketing and product teams to ensure brand consistency. Responsible for budgeting and resource allocation for design initiatives. | $85,000 - $110,000 |
| 12-13 | Creative Director, Senior Art Director, Visual Communication Manager | Sets the creative vision for campaigns, guides the development of visual identity, and coordinates with other departments to align design strategies with overall objectives. Acts as the main point of contact for high-stakes projects. | $110,000 - $140,000 |
| 14-15 | Director of Design, Head of Visual Communications, Senior Creative Executive | Shapes the long-term vision for the design department, oversees large-scale campaigns, and represents the company's creative interests at an executive level. Develops strategic partnerships and leads innovation in visual branding. | $140,000 - $180,000 |
| SES | Chief Creative Officer (CCO), Vice President of Design, Executive Director of Branding | Provides overall leadership and direction for the company's creative vision, oversees all design and branding efforts, and collaborates with executive leadership to align creative strategies with business goals. Responsible for establishing creative methodologies and fostering a culture of creativity. | $180,000 - $250,000 |
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.
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.
Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Photoshop
The ACE certification demonstrates a high proficiency in using Adobe Photoshop, a critical tool for visual information specialists. This certification would not only enhance one's credibility in creating compelling graphics but also make an individual more attractive to potential employers in industries that rely on visual communication.
Certified Graphic Designer (CGD)
The CGD certification signifies a professional standard and recognizes competency in graphic design, including visual branding and effective communication strategies. Earning this credential can set an applicant apart in a competitive job market by showcasing their commitment to professional development and industry standards.
Digital Media Production Certificate
A Digital Media Production Certificate covers a range of skills related to video production, audio engineering, and multimedia design, all essential for a Visual Information Specialist. This qualification demonstrates to employers an ability to manage complex projects and produce high-quality digital content.
Final Cut Pro X Certification
Final Cut Pro X is a popular video editing software used extensively in the industry. Certification in this platform showcases expertise that is highly valued by employers in media production, advertising, and corporate communications.
Web Design Certificate
A Web Design Certificate equips individuals with the skills to design and develop user-friendly websites, an essential competency in visual communications. This certification adds a valuable dimension to a visual information specialist's skill set, making them versatile in both print and digital environments.
Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)
The CPP credential demonstrates a professional's mastery of photography, making it critical for roles where visual storytelling is required. This certification enhances an individual's portfolio and showcases their dedication to quality in visual media, a key asset in many civilian roles.
Communication and Media Studies Degree
A degree in Communication and Media Studies provides a strong foundation in visual communication theories, media production, and audience engagement strategies. This educational background is particularly beneficial for adapting federal skills to civilian roles that emphasize effective messaging and branding.
Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design or Visual Arts
An academic degree in Graphic Design or Visual Arts offers comprehensive training in creativity, software, and design fundamentals crucial for a Visual Information Specialist. This degree not only complements practical skills but also positions candidates as knowledgeable professionals in the civilian job market.
See which companies and industries commonly hire professionals with your background. Use this insight to focus your job search and tailor your applications.
Get practical strategies to navigate the shift from federal to private sector work. Learn how to present your experience and avoid common transition pitfalls.
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.
Transitioning from a federal GS-1084 Visual Information role to the private sector can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor. However, with the right approach and mindset, you can position yourself effectively for new opportunities. Below, we’ll explore key mindset shifts, resume and interview tips, networking strategies, and how to effectively translate your federal experience into private sector language.
Embrace a Growth Mindset: Recognize that transitioning into the private sector is a learning opportunity. You may face different challenges and expectations, but approaching this new journey with curiosity and adaptability will certainly be an asset.
Focus on Results Over Processes: The federal environment often emphasizes processes, compliance, and thoroughness. In contrast, many private sector roles are results-driven. Train yourself to articulate how your work has positively impacted outcomes, aimed at meeting the organization’s goals.
Value Your Experience: Understand that your federal experience is valid and valuable. Don’t undermine your contributions; instead, consider how they translate into skills and accomplishments relevant to prospective employers in the private sector.
Translate Your Title: Your current job title may not resonate with private sector hiring managers. Consider using a more commonly recognized title (e.g., Visual Information Specialist) in your resume while ensuring clarity on federal terminology through the use of descriptions.
Focus on Accomplishments: Rather than listing duties, focus on achievements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe projects or initiatives you led, emphasizing the impact your visuals had on communication, engagement, or branding for the agency.
Eliminate Jargon: Avoid federal jargon that may not be understood outside the government sector. For example, instead of saying, "managed inter-agency collaborations," consider saying, "partnered with various organizations to deliver cohesive visual branding."
Highlight Transferable Skills: Your experience likely includes project management, teamwork, creative problem-solving, and technical skills (e.g., graphic design software, video production). Be sure to highlight these skills, as they are relevant across industries.
Use Industry Keywords: Review job postings in your target fields and incorporate the keywords they use into your resume. Tailoring your resume for specific positions will help you get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and make your application more appealing to recruiters.
Prepare Your Success Stories: Have a repertoire of stories that showcase your skills and experience. Highlight how you tackled a challenge, your creative process, and the end results, focusing on metrics where possible (e.g., increased audience engagement by X%).
Practice Behavioral Questions: Private sector interviews often feature behavioral questions. Practice answering these using the STAR method to ensure your responses are structured and impactful.
Be Ready for Culture Questions: Employers will want to see if you’ll fit within their corporate culture. Investigate the company’s values and practices, and be prepared to discuss how your experiences align with them.
Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare a set of questions that shows your interest in the role and company. Inquire about team dynamics, project expectations, or how success is measured in the position.
Be Authentic: Authenticity is valued in the private sector. Don’t shy away from discussing your federal experience, but frame it in a way that reflects your openness to new perspectives that align with a corporate environment.
Leverage LinkedIn: Optimize your LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills and experiences relevant to the private sector. Connect with professionals in your field of interest and engage with their posts to build relationships and visibility.
Join Industry Groups: Consider joining professional organizations or online groups related to visual information and communication. These spaces can provide valuable resources, job leads, and connections.
Attend Networking Events: Look for professional meet-ups, industry conferences, or seminars where you can connect with potential employers and fellow professionals. Face-to-face networking can be very impactful.
Seek Informational Interviews: Reach out to individuals in roles you're interested in and request informational interviews. This can provide insight into what the job entails and help you establish connections.
Give Back: If you have experience in mentoring or training, consider offering your skills to help others. This approach not only builds your network but also positions you as someone who adds value, which can attract attention from potential employers.
Identify Core Skills: Focus on skills that are universally appreciated: communication, project management, teamwork, and creativity. Be prepared to articulate these skills without the federal context.
Use Concrete Metrics: Quantify your accomplishments where possible. Instead of stating "designed graphics for the agency's publications", say "created engaging graphics that increased readership by 40% for annual reports."
Reframe Responsibilities: Instead of talking about compliance with federal guidelines, focus on your contributions to strategic planning and execution of communication strategies. For example, changing "developed visual aids to meet federal compliance guidelines" to "designed compelling visual content that enhanced client engagement."
Keep Learning: Take courses or certifications relevant to the private sector role you are pursuing. This not only reinforces your commitment to the transition but also equips you with current industry knowledge and tools.
Transitioning from federal employment to the private sector can open new doors and opportunities for growth and engagement in your career. By shifting your mindset, tailoring your resume, practicing for interviews, networking wisely, and translating your experience effectively, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the roles you aspire to. Embrace this journey with confidence and enthusiasm; your skills and experiences have the potential to shine in any environment.