Latest / The Comeback Career Podcast with Fexingo: Returning After a Gap, Stay-at-Home Re-Entry / How One Parent Returned as a Federal Contractor After a Gap
Transcript
- Lucas: So today I want to talk about a path that a lot of parents I talk to don't even consider: federal contracting. Specifically, returning to work as a contractor for the Department of Defense or another federal agency. Luna: I think most people assume the government is this slow, bureaucratic machine that wouldn't be interested in someone with a career gap. Lucas: Exactly, and that's a misconception. I've been looking into the story of Melissa Chen. She was an IT project manager before taking six years off to raise her two kids. When she decided to return, she targeted federal contracting and landed a role that pays more than her pre-gap salary. Luna: That's a big jump. How did she even get her foot in the door? Lucas: She did something very deliberate: she got a certification. Specifically, CompTIA Security+. That's the baseline certification for anyone working on federal IT systems. It's not a four-year degree, it's a test you can study for in a couple of months. She had a background in project management, so she didn't need to start from zero. The certification signaled to contracting firms that she was current on security protocols, which is a huge deal for any government contract. Luna: So the gap didn't matter because she had a specific, in-demand credential. Lucas: Right. And she also leveraged something called a 'cleared job' strategy. Many federal contractors are desperate for people who can obtain a security clearance. The company pays for the clearance process, but they need candidates who can pass the background check. Melissa had a clean record, no debt issues, no red flags. She made that part of her pitch: 'I'm a low-risk candidate for clearance.' That made her gap almost irrelevant, because companies are hungry for people who can get cleared. Luna: I've heard that the clearance process can take a year or more. Was that a problem? Lucas: It can, but Melissa targeted companies that were willing to sponsor her for a 'secret' clearance rather than 'top secret'. The secret level takes about six to ten months on average. And she used that time to take on short-term contract roles that didn't require clearance, building recent experience while the clearance was processing. So she wasn't idle. Luna: That's a smart two-track approach. She's building a resume and waiting out the clearance clock. Lucas: Exactly. And the key here is that the federal government has been actively trying to attract people with career gaps. They have programs like the 'SkillBridge' initiative, although that's for military. But many agencies have returnship programs. For example, the Department of Energy has a 'Career Re-Entry Program' specifically for professionals who've been out of the workforce for two or more years. Luna: I didn't know that existed. So it's not just the private sector that's doing returnships anymore. Lucas: No, and that's the broader trend. The federal government has a huge need for IT talent, and they can't compete with big tech on salary alone. So they're becoming more flexible on career gaps. Melissa's story also shows the importance of networking, but not in the traditional sense. She didn't go to industry conferences. She joined a local chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, or AFCEA. That's where the contractors network. In six months, she had three interviews. Luna: So she went where the hiring managers were. That's tactical. Lucas: Very. And she didn't lead with her gap. Her opening line was always, 'I'm an IT project manager with a Security+ certification, interested in federal contracting opportunities.' That's it. If they asked about the gap, she framed it as a period of focused skill-building. She took an online course in agile project management during her second year at home. So she had something to point to. Luna: I love that. She preempted the gap question with real evidence of staying current. Lucas: Exactly. And I think this is a model that could work for other fields, too. If you have a background in finance, there's a certification called the Certified Government Financial Manager. If you're in HR, there's the Federal HR Certification. The point is, find the specific credential that the federal government or its contractors require, and treat that as your re-entry ticket. Luna: But what about people who don't have a tech background? Can they still get into federal contracting? Lucas: Absolutely. The government hires for everything: logistics, accounting, program management, communications. The same principle applies: find the certification or skill that is a must-have. For example, many project management roles require a Project Management Professional, or PMP, certification. That's gap-neutral. And again, clearance eligibility is a huge door-opener. If you have a clean background, that's a competitive advantage. Luna: So the key takeaway is: don't dismiss government work just because you think it's too rigid or slow. Lucas: Exactly. Melissa's case shows that a career gap can actually be an asset if you strategically target a sector that values stability, security, and credentials over a continuous employment history. And the pay is competitive. She started at around $95,000, which in her area was above the median for IT project managers. Luna: That's solid. And I imagine the benefits are good too. Lucas: Federal contractor benefits are usually very good. Health insurance, 401k matching, sometimes even a pension plan depending on the firm. And the work-life balance is often better than in tech. Melissa says she rarely works weekends. Luna: And that's a big consideration for parents coming back. You don't want a job that eats into family time after you've been away. Lucas: Right. And one more thing: she used a staffing agency that specialized in cleared positions. Firms like ClearanceJobs and ClearedJobs.net. She didn't just apply on USAJOBS. She worked with a recruiter who understood how to position her gap. Luna: That's a great resource tip. I think a lot of parents feel overwhelmed by the federal hiring process, but working with a specialized recruiter can simplify it. Lucas: Yeah, and the recruiter gets paid by the contracting company, not by the candidate. So it's a free service for job seekers. Melissa's recruiter actually helped her craft her resume to highlight her certification and clearance potential, and downplay the gap. Luna: That's a win-win. So the episode really is about being strategic about where you focus your energy. Don't just apply everywhere. Pick a sector that values what you can offer. Lucas: Exactly. And I think we should say this: we are able to bring you these kinds of detailed, practical stories because we keep the show free of advertisements. We don't run ads, and we want to keep it that way. If you find value in these episodes, the best way to support us is through a small contribution at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It's a simple way to help us continue producing content that helps parents re-enter the workforce without being sold to. Luna: Yeah, and we really appreciate that support. It allows us to focus on the stories that matter, like Melissa's, without worrying about sponsor demands. Lucas: So back to Melissa: she's now been in her role for about eight months, and she's already been offered a permanent position with the contracting firm. She's on track to get her top secret clearance within the next year, which will open even more doors. Luna: That's fantastic. And it shows that the federal contracting path is not just a stopgap; it can be a real career. Lucas: Absolutely. And I think the lesson for our listeners is: don't underestimate the value of a clean background, a focused certification, and a willingness to work with a recruiter. If you're a parent with a gap, the federal government might be one of the most welcoming places to return. Luna: And the timing is good too, with the government's push to hire more people from diverse backgrounds, including career returners. Lucas: Right. So if you've been thinking about going back but feel like the door is closed, consider walking through the federal contracting entrance. It might be wider than you think. Luna: Great episode. Thanks, Lucas. Lucas: Thanks, Luna. And to our listeners, we'll be back tomorrow with another comeback story.