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

[Anonymous]

Much of the US AID contractor role was in managing the bureaucracy. That is a skill, but it just is not terribly valuable elsewhere. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

[Anonymous]

He's 55...not a great age... not ready to retire, but plenty of places won't hire him at a manager level... even though we are downplaying his years of experience for many jobs, as well as doing all the other recommended activities listed here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Much of the US AID contractor role was in managing the bureaucracy. That is a skill, but it just is not terribly valuable elsewhere. Good luck.

Not the case in his experience. Lots of technical expertise in a few industries, programmatic expertise and financial expertise. We see jobs that he's a fit for... its just uber competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No I’m self employed and happily and successfully so so I can’t really pivot right now.

You should be looking for a full time job yourself with health insurance.

Your DH may never find professional work again; that happened to all my relatives in tech.

I would apply to Home Depot and Costco, speaking spanish and being professional would be a good way to move up to management at the store.

Why did that happen to all your relatives in tech? That's not a space that's gone away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No I’m self employed and happily and successfully so so I can’t really pivot right now.

FWIW, as a self-employed writer, I got health insurance through the freelancer's brotherhood. Great insurance.

[Anonymous]

OP, can you get health insurance through your work? Or be looking for a new job also to increase chances of finding a job with health insurance?

for him - career counselor. write away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No I’m self employed and happily and successfully so so I can’t really pivot right now.

FWIW, as a self-employed writer, I got health insurance through the freelancer's brotherhood. Great insurance.[/quot

Can you provide a link?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, can you get health insurance through your work? Or be looking for a new job also to increase chances of finding a job with health insurance?

for him - career counselor. write away.

Without revealing too many specifics, my self employment does have the potential to have health insurance through one of my clients but not for a bit.. and I have applied for a few jobs but it’s not ideal for me to give up my current work.

[Anonymous]

He might need to try something new, you might need to try something new; we are in unprecedented times with extreme lack of job stability. He should be asking everyone he knows for a 15 minute call to get his name around, meet with career coach through unemployment office, and considering changing fields. I’m sorry.

[Anonymous]

I think many people in and out of dc are still not aware how difficult the job market is and how the feds and their families’ plans/financial means were destroyed in a moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

So you moved for a job 30 years ago when you were 25 and it worked out great.

That is not really applicable to a 55 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No I’m self employed and happily and successfully so so I can’t really pivot right now.

You should be looking for a full time job yourself with health insurance.

Your DH may never find professional work again; that happened to all my relatives in tech.

I would apply to Home Depot and Costco, speaking spanish and being professional would be a good way to move up to management at the store.

Why did that happen to all your relatives in tech? That's not a space that's gone away.

Tech is famously ageist. They don’t want to hire a 55 year old middle manager — you need to be C suite by 50 or in great jeopardy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, can you get health insurance through your work? Or be looking for a new job also to increase chances of finding a job with health insurance?

for him - career counselor. write away.

Without revealing too many specifics, my self employment does have the potential to have health insurance through one of my clients but not for a bit.. and I have applied for a few jobs but it’s not ideal for me to give up my current work.

This isn’t hard, you apply to lots of jobs just like DH and then do the math if the pay and savings from health insurance make sense.

Why exactly is it hard to pivot for you?

[Anonymous]

Has he tried teaching? It will provide the health insurance and assuming he stays 5-10 years he’ll have a small pension too.
The language teachers are mostly terrible so I would think that might be a decent fit if he can pivot a bit, but they also need other types of teachers as well.