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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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

[Anonymous]

I mean target and Starbucks workers can get benefits. If you’re not willing to get the ACA, he might have to cast a wider net.

FWIW, I have a PhD and work a second job not too different from the ones I mentioned above to help subsidize my primary income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP and that is not at all what I said. Upsides don't always mean stock options. I believe I said that my job could likely evolve into one with benefits. And, like I said, I am also applying for jobs. But while I have a good one, looking for advice for my husband, who does not. So.. Thank you to all the people who wrote supportive comments. It sucks. and even more so when people start attacking you.

NP—This is a strong argument for staying. Don’t let the aPlLy to cOsTcO posters get to you.

I assumed she wanted health care soon, not waiting for evolution. The Costco job was for her DH who has been looking for a year, but they both should be looking hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the hard realities of managing large, multimillion dollar contracts in a do-gooder aid organization with limited accountability is that this is not an easily transferrable "skill".

You obviously know very little about these contracts when you say limited accountability. The accountability procedures would make anyone in the private sector run for the hills. It’s by far the worst part of the job.

[Anonymous]

I’ve always thought if something like this happens, I would do a hard reset of my life, downscale, redo everything.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, the hard reset works well when you’re young, single, no kids and ready for an eat, pray, love adventure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As other pee, pees have suggested, broad in the scope of what he’s looking for. Look at nonprofits and international companies that he has expertise in their specific areas of commerce. DH needs to work outside of his industry to people he knows, people he went to school with, and former coworkers..

Apologies, was doing voice dictation. Should say PP.

Got a good laugh out of this!

[Anonymous]

I disagree with the PPs saying relocate. It's not at all that simple. Companies outside of the DMV 1) want to pay him way less. Like less than 50% of his previous salary and 2) want him in town to start today. So to do that idea he'd need to relocate ahead of you to interview.

[Anonymous]

I'm being negative about other posters ideas but I honestly don't have better ones for you.

I'm an employer. In the last 2 year every single position that I've interviewed people for has been filled by outstanding candidates that fit exactly what we want. So there is no question of compromise on someone's background.

He needs to be a perfect fit even at Costco. So that means he either needs to lie about his resume or will stay unemployed :/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the hard realities of managing large, multimillion dollar contracts in a do-gooder aid organization with limited accountability is that this is not an easily transferrable "skill".

You obviously know very little about these contracts when you say limited accountability. The accountability procedures would make anyone in the private sector run for the hills. It’s by far the worst part of the job.

Every USAID employee I have encountered thinks VERY highly of themselves, I think this is part of the problem. As much as it was doing good work, the metrics for success are almost impossible to measure (that's why accountability was impossible -- I'm sure they made you go through hoops to appear to be accountable with those procedures, but fundamentally its an impossible task for the scale of a project). But again, the casual arrogance seeps through, the brashness about the size of the contracts (spending other people's money on people and countries far from home -- most private industry is about earning money or at least minimizing spending), it's just toxic in an economy where many people don't really have enough here at home. I think the soft diplomacy of USAID was of value, but perspective of the true cost and modesty on the impact of any one person was not held by the personnel there.

[Anonymous]

Ok managing budgets but do they have an accounting degree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok managing budgets but do they have an accounting degree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm being negative about other posters ideas but I honestly don't have better ones for you.

I'm an employer. In the last 2 year every single position that I've interviewed people for has been filled by outstanding candidates that fit exactly what we want. So there is no question of compromise on someone's background.

He needs to be a perfect fit even at Costco. So that means he either needs to lie about his resume or will stay unemployed :/

This is one of the problems. For every job posting there are almost always a few people whose background is a perfect fit—that is, they almost exactly match the job description.

The one person I know that lost his job working for a USAID contractor and has found work happened to find it by doing some independent consulting for that same contractor that laid him off. Everything else has been dead ends.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry. I was let go a year ago in the DOGE situation as well. I’m 50. I couldn’t even stomach looking for a new job given my background is the same as so many here in the DMV. I didn’t want to waste my time. I figured most companies would hire someone much younger.

So I just work part-time now at an hourly job and it sucks.

I don’t want to spend 30 hours a week looking for a job to never get one.

My husband is still employed so we will be alright. It was a sad way to end a career but it is what it is.

I would suggest your husband work at Starbucks or target for health care. It will be fine. He can keep looking for other positions or maybe get another degree or certificate if he wants to try for something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the PPs saying relocate. It's not at all that simple. Companies outside of the DMV 1) want to pay him way less. Like less than 50% of his previous salary and 2) want him in town to start today. So to do that idea he'd need to relocate ahead of you to interview.

Didn't say it was simple, but it can be done. Of course, if they have HS aged kids, that would be a problem.

But, if they are empty nesters? i don't see why they can't do it. Even if their kids are in state college, they could declare their kids independent to continue to get in state tuition.

If they want him to start in 2 weeks, he can rent a small place up there while they get their house here ready to rent or sell. It will be hard but not impossible. People have done it before.

I'm a firm believer in "where there is a will, there is a way".

So, OP's DH has a few choices:

1. remain here unemployed hoping for something forever - pay for $$$ ACA
2. remain here and work at Target, Costco, Starbucks - get healthcare but work a low skill/wage job
3. apply to jobs elsewhere -- get healthcare, and maybe use your skills and get paid better than #2

IDK, If I was desperate for healthcare and income, I would do #3, #2, #1.