Help - Former USAID contractor -- zero interviews in a year

[Anonymous]

Why can't OP get ACA health insurance? I doubt her DH is going to get a new job when he's 55.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't read all the posts but out of my 3 friends who used to work for USAID - one found a job managing an international fellowship program (based in Europe but with a DC office); one is starting a doctorate in public health in a different state; one found a job in global operations for a start-up on the West Coast. It's tricky though if your spouse has a stable job here and your kids are in middle/high school. All 3 of my friends are single.

I’m guessing all three of them are also not in their 50s

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Has your husband asked any of his peers to review his resume and cover letter and provide candid feedback? When one of my former colleagues was struggling to land interviews, I asked if I could help by reviewing their resume. Long story short: I edited it (dramatically) and they quickly landed a few interviews. Start there.

Is your husband doing anything to bring in cash? Door Dash/Instacart/Uber? Any cash is better than nothing.

I heard Gov. Moore say MD started a fast-track teacher certification program for former feds, etc. Good benefits, steady paycheck, plus the flexibility for a side hustle (tutoring, college application support, etc.).

If he managed grants and can handle budgets and basic accounting, perhaps lean into that?

Is he handy? Could you invest in real estate, flip a house, or become landlords?

This is terrible advice. Teaching is not nearly as flexible as DCUM thinks and it's really hard work. There's not much time or energy for a side hustle, especially for a career changer in the first few years.

If you had kids in mcps high school or middle school, you would know that most teachers phone it in and have a side hustle.

You aren’t doing the OP any favors.

OP, many career changers quit teaching in the first couple of years because they came in with unrealistic expectations about the field. If you go this route, speak to teachers first. Sub. Don’t trust the DCUM comments.

It’s a lot of work to get accredited for just 1-2 years of employment.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has your husband asked any of his peers to review his resume and cover letter and provide candid feedback? When one of my former colleagues was struggling to land interviews, I asked if I could help by reviewing their resume. Long story short: I edited it (dramatically) and they quickly landed a few interviews. Start there.

Is your husband doing anything to bring in cash? Door Dash/Instacart/Uber? Any cash is better than nothing.

I heard Gov. Moore say MD started a fast-track teacher certification program for former feds, etc. Good benefits, steady paycheck, plus the flexibility for a side hustle (tutoring, college application support, etc.).

If he managed grants and can handle budgets and basic accounting, perhaps lean into that?

Is he handy? Could you invest in real estate, flip a house, or become landlords?

This is terrible advice. Teaching is not nearly as flexible as DCUM thinks and it's really hard work. There's not much time or energy for a side hustle, especially for a career changer in the first few years.

If you had kids in mcps high school or middle school, you would know that most teachers phone it in and have a side hustle.

You aren’t doing the OP any favors.

OP, many career changers quit teaching in the first couple of years because they came in with unrealistic expectations about the field. If you go this route, speak to teachers first. Sub. Don’t trust the DCUM comments.

It’s a lot of work to get accredited for just 1-2 years of employment.

.


It’s been a YEAR. That’s a viable option.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I say this with respect because I know there’s a lot of affected people here (in addition to the OP), but could someone please explain how/why the people at this org were paid so much before when it seems like their actual skills just didn’t warrant that high level of pay? Is this typical in government orgs? I knew government positions paid a lot more than I originally expected, but I was told that they need to pay those salaries (in addition to the security that has historically also come with government positions) in order to staff the positions.

This is because the whole industry was dependent on federal funding, so the floor dropped out, and all experts were suddenly redundant. However I think it’s very questionable to have been using taxpayer dollars to essentially create an industry that has no transferable value. It is tough to set appropriate compensation in the non-profit world as there is no ‘buyer’ to set prices. Practically and ethically, billionaires, like the gates foundation or true missionaries should be footing that bill instead of taxpayers.

You could say the same thing about the defense industry. And that's much bigger and employs far more people.

Well nobody has been saying what these nebulous skills are. Is it just grant writing? Making policy? Writing white papers? Won't somebody please be brave and say what people did? I'm sure some of it is transferable.

As for the denfense industry, I have only a good sense for IT and the different systems and needs are vast. But perhaps contracts management and procurement would be a highlighted feature in this industry? It seems that nobody in government is very good at it. If they are then their hands are tied with ridiculous regulations on how to choose and oversee contractors since it seems that there's no spending limit and no rules these days.

I am sure OP's DH has some good transferable skills and has thought about them if he's trying to get into other industries. It would be really, painfully stupid not to. The hard part is that right now the job market is very tough and it's hard to get hired on transferable skills if the other applicants have direct experience.

Of course. But nobody is actually saying what they DID at USAID. That's the part that is suss. I'm afraid it's a bit too much:

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My only advice is to apply out of the area, maybe even out of the country (like those countries that your DH has experience with). For years, we've been telling coal miners in WV to move to where the jobs are. I think white collar workers in DC need to be willing to do the same.

FWIW, I despise Trump and fully support USAID. I actually thought about working for them decades ago. If/when USAID ever comes back, you could potentially move back.

It sucks, but I also had to move to where the jobs were. In my case, it was the best decision ever. My career really took off, and I made a ton more money.

NP. What field are you in and where did you move to

This was a long time ago (I'm talking 30years), and not in the government. But, the point remains, when you are out of a job, and clearly need a new one, and the area you live in doesn't have jobs that fit you, you need to move to an area that has some jobs that you may be a fit for. That could be in a different city (me since the state I lived in was huge), or a different state, or even a different country.

IMO, it sucks to start over, but doubly so in your 50s (I'm 55). But, if you don't have much tying you to this area, like HS kids whom a move would be difficult for, with the DH's background, I'd look into jobs in other countries since OP can work anywhere.

I guess I'm projecting because if I could get a job in Spain, for example, I'd move there in a heartbeat right now. But my kids are in college, so it would be easier for us.

I appreciate the empathy but moving jobs and locations when you are 25 and have say 3 years of full time work experience is very very different

It's so clueless as to be offensive

IMO, you people are the clueless ones. Why can't a 55 yr old move to where the job offer is? What did you tell the 50 yr old coal miners in WV who have been out of a job for a year? You probably told them to pivot or move to where the jobs are, right?

It's offensive for exFed white collared workers who had cushy jobs to think they shouldn't have to move but expect blue collared workers to do so for jobs.

FWIW, my parents were uneducated blue collared workers who immigrated to this country with 4 kids under 10, without knowing how to speak English. I think if you can speak English, are educated, you can absolutely move to a different state/city at the age of 55 for a job. You just don't want to.

People move for jobs all the time. Companies relocate; close. Why do exFeds think they are special and shouldn't be expected to do this?

I'm sorry, but you guys come across as entitled and helpless. Very unbecoming. And I feel awful for DOGE'd feds.

Please read before you spout off. The OP said on page 1 that they would be open to moving and that he would be open to taking a lower salary. Everything is harder job wise in your 50s. Whether you are a coal miner or a white collar professional. Show some empathy.

I have empathy (as a 55 yr old). I was responding to the "It's so clueless as to be offensive " poster. And I bet lots of 50 yr old feds 5, 10 years ago didn't have that much empathy for coal miners when they kept saying that they wanted to stay in their jobs and not have to move and retrain.

What exactly am I clueless about? I've been laid off before; I was a contractor and have had several contracts termed (all private sector); I've moved for jobs.

So, if OP's DH is willing to move for a lower paying job, why is the poster saying "It's so clueless as to be offensive " to my post?

Because, if I am following the thread correctly, you blithely told the story of a move in your 20s before you were established in what you do. To compare that in any way to what the OP’s DH is going through is tone deaf.

I prefaced that by saying it's harder as you get older. But, those are the options. There are 25 yr olds who refuse to move to where the jobs are, too.

Like I said, my parents moved to this country with 4 kids < 10 without knowing the language for better opportunities/jobs. Back then, there was no support services for immigrants or nonEnglish speakers. If people like that are able to do it, surely a well educated person who knows the language can move to a different city/state to get a job, right? It's done deaf for you to say that a well educated English speaker cannot move to a different city/state while probably telling coal miners that they should retrain and move to where the jobs are.

Life can be tough, and sometimes you have to make tough choices. I've had this discussion recently with my 18 yr old. I would think you as an adult would know that better.

Were your parents over 50 when they made this move and found jobs?

Yes.

Bullshit. They were not. Your math does not add up.

[Anonymous]

The poster who has immigrant parents and moved herself for a job at 25 really needs to move along and stop pontificating. Or maybe have her parents chime in. They're the ones with actual relevant experience. She isn't.

[Anonymous]

I hate to say this, but most USAID federal employees or contractors simply do not have the technical skills needed to succeed in the private sector, especially in the financial industry. I work in the technology division of the financial services industry, and in 2025 we interviewed about 50 individuals affected by DOGE-related cuts because our CIO felt bad for them and thought we might be able to hire some of them. After the initial interview, we gave them a two-hour technical exam with lab scenarios, and they had to score at least 80% to move on to the next stage of the hiring process. None of them scored above 50%. Even our CIO admitted that they were not qualified to work for us. It’s sad, but it’s true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate to say this, but most USAID federal employees or contractors simply do not have the technical skills needed to succeed in the private sector, especially in the financial industry. I work in the technology division of the financial services industry, and in 2025 we interviewed about 50 individuals affected by DOGE-related cuts because our CIO felt bad for them and thought we might be able to hire some of them. After the initial interview, we gave them a two-hour technical exam with lab scenarios, and they had to score at least 80% to move on to the next stage of the hiring process. None of them scored above 50%. Even our CIO admitted that they were not qualified to work for us. It’s sad, but it’s true.

I believe this. Experienced something similar with ex-fda. Most candidates didn’t even turn their camera on during interviews. They seemed unprepared, and it was clear they were very out of their element.

Sucks to admit this but we could probably get rid of 50% of government jobs and the average person wouldn’t notice. Most workers are paper pushers supporting a large bureaucracy. The same thing happens at large Fortune 500 companies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate to say this, but most USAID federal employees or contractors simply do not have the technical skills needed to succeed in the private sector, especially in the financial industry. I work in the technology division of the financial services industry, and in 2025 we interviewed about 50 individuals affected by DOGE-related cuts because our CIO felt bad for them and thought we might be able to hire some of them. After the initial interview, we gave them a two-hour technical exam with lab scenarios, and they had to score at least 80% to move on to the next stage of the hiring process. None of them scored above 50%. Even our CIO admitted that they were not qualified to work for us. It’s sad, but it’s true.

Except most USAID employees had nothing to do with financial services or technology, so this comment is irrelevant.

“Hey guys they don’t have the skills to cut it at SpaceX that’s why they are unemployed” like, what kind of reasoning is this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to say this, but most USAID federal employees or contractors simply do not have the technical skills needed to succeed in the private sector, especially in the financial industry. I work in the technology division of the financial services industry, and in 2025 we interviewed about 50 individuals affected by DOGE-related cuts because our CIO felt bad for them and thought we might be able to hire some of them. After the initial interview, we gave them a two-hour technical exam with lab scenarios, and they had to score at least 80% to move on to the next stage of the hiring process. None of them scored above 50%. Even our CIO admitted that they were not qualified to work for us. It’s sad, but it’s true.

Except most USAID employees had nothing to do with financial services or technology, so this comment is irrelevant.

“Hey guys they don’t have the skills to cut it at SpaceX that’s why they are unemployed” like, what kind of reasoning is this.

Geez, you sound like a government worker. There are technology people at USAID to connect the agency with other agencies, contractors, and vendors. There are networking, software developers, application developers. Without those technologies, USAID would not exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to say this, but most USAID federal employees or contractors simply do not have the technical skills needed to succeed in the private sector, especially in the financial industry. I work in the technology division of the financial services industry, and in 2025 we interviewed about 50 individuals affected by DOGE-related cuts because our CIO felt bad for them and thought we might be able to hire some of them. After the initial interview, we gave them a two-hour technical exam with lab scenarios, and they had to score at least 80% to move on to the next stage of the hiring process. None of them scored above 50%. Even our CIO admitted that they were not qualified to work for us. It’s sad, but it’s true.

Except most USAID employees had nothing to do with financial services or technology, so this comment is irrelevant.

“Hey guys they don’t have the skills to cut it at SpaceX that’s why they are unemployed” like, what kind of reasoning is this.

Geez, you sound like a government worker. There are technology people at USAID to connect the agency with other agencies, contractors, and vendors. There are networking, software developers, application developers. Without those technologies, USAID would not exist.

But are they “most”? No, no they are not. So drawing a conclusion about the rest of USAID based on government IT workers (which are notoriously subpar) is stupid.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My only advice is to apply out of the area, maybe even out of the country (like those countries that your DH has experience with). For years, we've been telling coal miners in WV to move to where the jobs are. I think white collar workers in DC need to be willing to do the same.

FWIW, I despise Trump and fully support USAID. I actually thought about working for them decades ago. If/when USAID ever comes back, you could potentially move back.

It sucks, but I also had to move to where the jobs were. In my case, it was the best decision ever. My career really took off, and I made a ton more money.

NP. What field are you in and where did you move to

This was a long time ago (I'm talking 30years), and not in the government. But, the point remains, when you are out of a job, and clearly need a new one, and the area you live in doesn't have jobs that fit you, you need to move to an area that has some jobs that you may be a fit for. That could be in a different city (me since the state I lived in was huge), or a different state, or even a different country.

IMO, it sucks to start over, but doubly so in your 50s (I'm 55). But, if you don't have much tying you to this area, like HS kids whom a move would be difficult for, with the DH's background, I'd look into jobs in other countries since OP can work anywhere.

I guess I'm projecting because if I could get a job in Spain, for example, I'd move there in a heartbeat right now. But my kids are in college, so it would be easier for us.

I appreciate the empathy but moving jobs and locations when you are 25 and have say 3 years of full time work experience is very very different

It's so clueless as to be offensive

IMO, you people are the clueless ones. Why can't a 55 yr old move to where the job offer is? What did you tell the 50 yr old coal miners in WV who have been out of a job for a year? You probably told them to pivot or move to where the jobs are, right?

It's offensive for exFed white collared workers who had cushy jobs to think they shouldn't have to move but expect blue collared workers to do so for jobs.

FWIW, my parents were uneducated blue collared workers who immigrated to this country with 4 kids under 10, without knowing how to speak English. I think if you can speak English, are educated, you can absolutely move to a different state/city at the age of 55 for a job. You just don't want to.

People move for jobs all the time. Companies relocate; close. Why do exFeds think they are special and shouldn't be expected to do this?

I'm sorry, but you guys come across as entitled and helpless. Very unbecoming. And I feel awful for DOGE'd feds.

Please read before you spout off. The OP said on page 1 that they would be open to moving and that he would be open to taking a lower salary. Everything is harder job wise in your 50s. Whether you are a coal miner or a white collar professional. Show some empathy.

I have empathy (as a 55 yr old). I was responding to the "It's so clueless as to be offensive " poster. And I bet lots of 50 yr old feds 5, 10 years ago didn't have that much empathy for coal miners when they kept saying that they wanted to stay in their jobs and not have to move and retrain.

What exactly am I clueless about? I've been laid off before; I was a contractor and have had several contracts termed (all private sector); I've moved for jobs.

So, if OP's DH is willing to move for a lower paying job, why is the poster saying "It's so clueless as to be offensive " to my post?

Because, if I am following the thread correctly, you blithely told the story of a move in your 20s before you were established in what you do. To compare that in any way to what the OP’s DH is going through is tone deaf.

I prefaced that by saying it's harder as you get older. But, those are the options. There are 25 yr olds who refuse to move to where the jobs are, too.

Like I said, my parents moved to this country with 4 kids < 10 without knowing the language for better opportunities/jobs. Back then, there was no support services for immigrants or nonEnglish speakers. If people like that are able to do it, surely a well educated person who knows the language can move to a different city/state to get a job, right? It's done deaf for you to say that a well educated English speaker cannot move to a different city/state while probably telling coal miners that they should retrain and move to where the jobs are.

Life can be tough, and sometimes you have to make tough choices. I've had this discussion recently with my 18 yr old. I would think you as an adult would know that better.

Were your parents over 50 when they made this move and found jobs?

Not the original poster. But my parents were both in their early 50s when a grant project they were working on got cancelled due to lack of funding. I was very young at the time, maybe 10. So, in their early 50s my parents were both unemployed, facing age discrimination, and had a young child. Their only real assets involved a paid off house (my mom was fanatical about paying off the mortgage) and two modest IRAs. My dad tried to do the consulting thing for awhile while frenetically sending out resumes. Literally they applied everywhere. My mom got tired of facing discrimination as an older woman. She pivoted to something that had almost no connection to her academic field. Eventually started her own business and got my dad involved. My dad now says getting dumped from the academic adjacent world was the best thing that ever happened to him emotionally and financially. Private business allowed him to be more himself. They also did well financially in a low prestige but lucrative small business. Some of my dad's old friends from corporate America made fun of him for going down in status. I'll probably inherit 8 figures from my parents. They made most of their money after the age of 55. Maybe stop looking for someone to hire you and figure out a way to hire yourself.

[Anonymous]

Ex-USAID here. Successfully pivoted to another job. Almost one year in and very happy. Pay is less than 40% of USAID salary but I am in my early 50s and was extremely successful at USAID so I was at the top of the pay scale there. I looked at teaching and ultimately decided against it........but it could work for some. Last summer, I had managed to obtain two teaching positions and one very small non-profit offer, all of which paid very little compared to what I was used to. I was very happy to have those offers though and am happy where I settled. I did not apply through LinkedIn or company websites; only local jobs/nonprofits (email addresses) and schools.

In the job search, I found that I had many transferrable skills from USAID and I believe they apply to a wide range of jobs:
- cultural understanding and ability create connections with many different types of people all over country/world
- negotiation skills
- project management skills (also got PMP)
- people management skills (eg how to give feedback, how to encourage, how to inspire)
- presentation and public speaking skills (great for teaching/training jobs)
- ability to deal with fast moving, chaotic environments (work trips in DRC, South Sudan etc. make jobs in the US look like a piece of cake)
- ability to LEARN very quickly (had to learn the politics and economics of each new country I traveled to for work before speaking with national counterparts)
- 'spin' - otherwise known as communications
- representing viewpoints that you don't believe in and selling them to other people
- ability to respond to random requests and solve unexpected problems
- skill navigating regulatory environments
- strong writing skills (think proposals, memos, etc)
- foreign language skills

Areas that I felt that I needed to 'skill up':
- AI AI AI
- Canva for design (& also using AI)
- project management software
- social media comms

The problem is that companies often look for the hard skills first and then look at soft skills. USAID's hard skills very suddenly became completely irrelevant. My IR MA and MPH degrees are totally useless. Fun times.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My only advice is to apply out of the area, maybe even out of the country (like those countries that your DH has experience with). For years, we've been telling coal miners in WV to move to where the jobs are. I think white collar workers in DC need to be willing to do the same.

FWIW, I despise Trump and fully support USAID. I actually thought about working for them decades ago. If/when USAID ever comes back, you could potentially move back.

It sucks, but I also had to move to where the jobs were. In my case, it was the best decision ever. My career really took off, and I made a ton more money.

NP. What field are you in and where did you move to

This was a long time ago (I'm talking 30years), and not in the government. But, the point remains, when you are out of a job, and clearly need a new one, and the area you live in doesn't have jobs that fit you, you need to move to an area that has some jobs that you may be a fit for. That could be in a different city (me since the state I lived in was huge), or a different state, or even a different country.

IMO, it sucks to start over, but doubly so in your 50s (I'm 55). But, if you don't have much tying you to this area, like HS kids whom a move would be difficult for, with the DH's background, I'd look into jobs in other countries since OP can work anywhere.

I guess I'm projecting because if I could get a job in Spain, for example, I'd move there in a heartbeat right now. But my kids are in college, so it would be easier for us.

I appreciate the empathy but moving jobs and locations when you are 25 and have say 3 years of full time work experience is very very different

It's so clueless as to be offensive

IMO, you people are the clueless ones. Why can't a 55 yr old move to where the job offer is? What did you tell the 50 yr old coal miners in WV who have been out of a job for a year? You probably told them to pivot or move to where the jobs are, right?

It's offensive for exFed white collared workers who had cushy jobs to think they shouldn't have to move but expect blue collared workers to do so for jobs.

FWIW, my parents were uneducated blue collared workers who immigrated to this country with 4 kids under 10, without knowing how to speak English. I think if you can speak English, are educated, you can absolutely move to a different state/city at the age of 55 for a job. You just don't want to.

People move for jobs all the time. Companies relocate; close. Why do exFeds think they are special and shouldn't be expected to do this?

I'm sorry, but you guys come across as entitled and helpless. Very unbecoming. And I feel awful for DOGE'd feds.

Please read before you spout off. The OP said on page 1 that they would be open to moving and that he would be open to taking a lower salary. Everything is harder job wise in your 50s. Whether you are a coal miner or a white collar professional. Show some empathy.

I have empathy (as a 55 yr old). I was responding to the "It's so clueless as to be offensive " poster. And I bet lots of 50 yr old feds 5, 10 years ago didn't have that much empathy for coal miners when they kept saying that they wanted to stay in their jobs and not have to move and retrain.

What exactly am I clueless about? I've been laid off before; I was a contractor and have had several contracts termed (all private sector); I've moved for jobs.

So, if OP's DH is willing to move for a lower paying job, why is the poster saying "It's so clueless as to be offensive " to my post?

Because, if I am following the thread correctly, you blithely told the story of a move in your 20s before you were established in what you do. To compare that in any way to what the OP’s DH is going through is tone deaf.

I prefaced that by saying it's harder as you get older. But, those are the options. There are 25 yr olds who refuse to move to where the jobs are, too.

Like I said, my parents moved to this country with 4 kids < 10 without knowing the language for better opportunities/jobs. Back then, there was no support services for immigrants or nonEnglish speakers. If people like that are able to do it, surely a well educated person who knows the language can move to a different city/state to get a job, right? It's done deaf for you to say that a well educated English speaker cannot move to a different city/state while probably telling coal miners that they should retrain and move to where the jobs are.

Life can be tough, and sometimes you have to make tough choices. I've had this discussion recently with my 18 yr old. I would think you as an adult would know that better.

Were your parents over 50 when they made this move and found jobs?

Not the original poster. But my parents were both in their early 50s when a grant project they were working on got cancelled due to lack of funding. I was very young at the time, maybe 10. So, in their early 50s my parents were both unemployed, facing age discrimination, and had a young child. Their only real assets involved a paid off house (my mom was fanatical about paying off the mortgage) and two modest IRAs. My dad tried to do the consulting thing for awhile while frenetically sending out resumes. Literally they applied everywhere. My mom got tired of facing discrimination as an older woman. She pivoted to something that had almost no connection to her academic field. Eventually started her own business and got my dad involved. My dad now says getting dumped from the academic adjacent world was the best thing that ever happened to him emotionally and financially. Private business allowed him to be more himself. They also did well financially in a low prestige but lucrative small business. Some of my dad's old friends from corporate America made fun of him for going down in status. I'll probably inherit 8 figures from my parents. They made most of their money after the age of 55. Maybe stop looking for someone to hire you and figure out a way to hire yourself.

Does that low prestige lucrative industry still exist? I think technology and PE have really squeezed out a lot of opportunities (like Taxi medallions were worth $$$ and Home Depot does lots of easy plumbing jobs with techs etc)