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

[Anonymous]

Unpopular opinion but strongly felt, especially i in these times: a job is not a great one unless it offers health benefits.

[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.

But they are paying infinitely more than his current $0 salary. He just isn’t worth as much now either

He should totally be able to start today. You are empty nesters and you WFH, so you can fly out, rent a cheap apartment and earn a paycheck. It’s also easier to get a job when you have a job. He doesn’t have to move entirely; give it a year of long distance commuting and see if it’s worth it or if he can’t parlay into a new DC job.

So you do freelance work and he has worked for the same place since college. So basically neither of you knows how to obtain a full time job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unpopular opinion but strongly felt, especially i in these times: a job is not a great one unless it offers health benefits.

Are you implying OP freelance work isn’t a great job? That dog don’t hunt, she is not willing to change her situation to get the family health insurance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But they are paying infinitely more than his current $0 salary. He just isn’t worth as much now either

He should totally be able to start today. You are empty nesters and you WFH, so you can fly out, rent a cheap apartment and earn a paycheck. It’s also easier to get a job when you have a job. He doesn’t have to move entirely; give it a year of long distance commuting and see if it’s worth it or if he can’t parlay into a new DC job.

So you do freelance work and he has worked for the same place since college. So basically neither of you knows how to obtain a full time job?

It is absolutely amazing the conclusions people jump to based on a few details. Both of those assumptions are incorrect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But they are paying infinitely more than his current $0 salary. He just isn’t worth as much now either

He should totally be able to start today. You are empty nesters and you WFH, so you can fly out, rent a cheap apartment and earn a paycheck. It’s also easier to get a job when you have a job. He doesn’t have to move entirely; give it a year of long distance commuting and see if it’s worth it or if he can’t parlay into a new DC job.

So you do freelance work and he has worked for the same place since college. So basically neither of you knows how to obtain a full time job?

It is absolutely amazing the conclusions people jump to based on a few details. Both of those assumptions are incorrect.

So you still have kids at home? That need dad around or like teenagers that you are lucky to see at dinner? DH is 55, are you like 30?

What is the other assumption? Because right now he has no income and you definitely are acting like these jobs are better than him despite a year of unemployment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But they are paying infinitely more than his current $0 salary. He just isn’t worth as much now either

He should totally be able to start today. You are empty nesters and you WFH, so you can fly out, rent a cheap apartment and earn a paycheck. It’s also easier to get a job when you have a job. He doesn’t have to move entirely; give it a year of long distance commuting and see if it’s worth it or if he can’t parlay into a new DC job.

So you do freelance work and he has worked for the same place since college. So basically neither of you knows how to obtain a full time job?

The company won't assume that. They'll assume you want relocation. So they want to see a local address.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But they are paying infinitely more than his current $0 salary. He just isn’t worth as much now either

He should totally be able to start today. You are empty nesters and you WFH, so you can fly out, rent a cheap apartment and earn a paycheck. It’s also easier to get a job when you have a job. He doesn’t have to move entirely; give it a year of long distance commuting and see if it’s worth it or if he can’t parlay into a new DC job.

So you do freelance work and he has worked for the same place since college. So basically neither of you knows how to obtain a full time job?

The company won't assume that. They'll assume you want relocation. So they want to see a local address.

Weird. Are these professional jobs? I have applied from other cities and get many offers, it quite common

[Anonymous]

In my circle, I know at least 45 people who were either USAID Feds or contractors. All were let go last year by DOGE. All but one are still jobless. The one that got job was let go as a contractor last week. It is brutal out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my circle, I know at least 45 people who were either USAID Feds or contractors. All were let go last year by DOGE. All but one are still jobless. The one that got job was let go as a contractor last week. It is brutal out there.

OMG I misread this post. I thought unemployed for a year.

ZERO INTERVIEWS????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my circle, I know at least 45 people who were either USAID Feds or contractors. All were let go last year by DOGE. All but one are still jobless. The one that got job was let go as a contractor last week. It is brutal out there.

I know a lot of people who lost their jobs when USAID closed, and maybe half have found new jobs, many of them a notch down what they are capable of doing and it's been brutal. Most of those who found jobs left DC--a few found positions in state/local government, at universities doing general college administration stuff, or at non-international development focused NGOs. Those who were in public health have been worst off...between the closing of USAID and those fleeing the incompetence in FDA/HHS etc, there's so many people in that field without jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But they are paying infinitely more than his current $0 salary. He just isn’t worth as much now either

He should totally be able to start today. You are empty nesters and you WFH, so you can fly out, rent a cheap apartment and earn a paycheck. It’s also easier to get a job when you have a job. He doesn’t have to move entirely; give it a year of long distance commuting and see if it’s worth it or if he can’t parlay into a new DC job.

So you do freelance work and he has worked for the same place since college. So basically neither of you knows how to obtain a full time job?

It is absolutely amazing the conclusions people jump to based on a few details. Both of those assumptions are incorrect.

So you still have kids at home? That need dad around or like teenagers that you are lucky to see at dinner? DH is 55, are you like 30?

What is the other assumption? Because right now he has no income and you definitely are acting like these jobs are better than him despite a year of unemployment.

The assumption? That he’s never had another job and neither have I? How did you come to that conclusion? He has nearly a decade of a few corporate jobs before this and I’ve held several corporate jobs. So the math. 55-25=30. No he did not start his career at 30. We both know how to look for jobs. Also, I’m older. Shocker right! You think it’s going to be hard for a 55 year old male to get a job in a dead industry. Try an older woman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But they are paying infinitely more than his current $0 salary. He just isn’t worth as much now either

He should totally be able to start today. You are empty nesters and you WFH, so you can fly out, rent a cheap apartment and earn a paycheck. It’s also easier to get a job when you have a job. He doesn’t have to move entirely; give it a year of long distance commuting and see if it’s worth it or if he can’t parlay into a new DC job.

So you do freelance work and he has worked for the same place since college. So basically neither of you knows how to obtain a full time job?

It is absolutely amazing the conclusions people jump to based on a few details. Both of those assumptions are incorrect.

So you still have kids at home? That need dad around or like teenagers that you are lucky to see at dinner? DH is 55, are you like 30?

What is the other assumption? Because right now he has no income and you definitely are acting like these jobs are better than him despite a year of unemployment.

The assumption? That he’s never had another job and neither have I? How did you come to that conclusion? He has nearly a decade of a few corporate jobs before this and I’ve held several corporate jobs. So the math. 55-25=30. No he did not start his career at 30. We both know how to look for jobs. Also, I’m older. Shocker right! You think it’s going to be hard for a 55 year old male to get a job in a dead industry. Try an older woman.

You don’t know how to look for jobs because you think being unemployed for over a year is better than taking a pay cut.

I only posited that you were younger because you said my assumption was wrong; but you are empty nested so he can move for a job at the drop of a hat, and then you figure out the plan after that.

Depends on the field. Older women leave and re enter work force all the time in many industries. Men don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But they are paying infinitely more than his current $0 salary. He just isn’t worth as much now either

He should totally be able to start today. You are empty nesters and you WFH, so you can fly out, rent a cheap apartment and earn a paycheck. It’s also easier to get a job when you have a job. He doesn’t have to move entirely; give it a year of long distance commuting and see if it’s worth it or if he can’t parlay into a new DC job.

So you do freelance work and he has worked for the same place since college. So basically neither of you knows how to obtain a full time job?

It is absolutely amazing the conclusions people jump to based on a few details. Both of those assumptions are incorrect.

So you still have kids at home? That need dad around or like teenagers that you are lucky to see at dinner? DH is 55, are you like 30?

What is the other assumption? Because right now he has no income and you definitely are acting like these jobs are better than him despite a year of unemployment.

The assumption? That he’s never had another job and neither have I? How did you come to that conclusion? He has nearly a decade of a few corporate jobs before this and I’ve held several corporate jobs. So the math. 55-25=30. No he did not start his career at 30. We both know how to look for jobs. Also, I’m older. Shocker right! You think it’s going to be hard for a 55 year old male to get a job in a dead industry. Try an older woman.

You don’t know how to look for jobs because you think being unemployed for over a year is better than taking a pay cut.

I only posited that you were younger because you said my assumption was wrong; but you are empty nested so he can move for a job at the drop of a hat, and then you figure out the plan after that.

Depends on the field. Older women leave and re enter work force all the time in many industries. Men don’t.

He would love a job with a pay cut! I think you have reading comprehension problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Also, he has applied for jobs out of state, out of the country, and at a third of his former salary. And we are not empty nesters. So please go and grind your ax somewhere else.

But they are paying infinitely more than his current $0 salary. He just isn’t worth as much now either

He should totally be able to start today. You are empty nesters and you WFH, so you can fly out, rent a cheap apartment and earn a paycheck. It’s also easier to get a job when you have a job. He doesn’t have to move entirely; give it a year of long distance commuting and see if it’s worth it or if he can’t parlay into a new DC job.

So you do freelance work and he has worked for the same place since college. So basically neither of you knows how to obtain a full time job?

It is absolutely amazing the conclusions people jump to based on a few details. Both of those assumptions are incorrect.

So you still have kids at home? That need dad around or like teenagers that you are lucky to see at dinner? DH is 55, are you like 30?

What is the other assumption? Because right now he has no income and you definitely are acting like these jobs are better than him despite a year of unemployment.

The assumption? That he’s never had another job and neither have I? How did you come to that conclusion? He has nearly a decade of a few corporate jobs before this and I’ve held several corporate jobs. So the math. 55-25=30. No he did not start his career at 30. We both know how to look for jobs. Also, I’m older. Shocker right! You think it’s going to be hard for a 55 year old male to get a job in a dead industry. Try an older woman.

You don’t know how to look for jobs because you think being unemployed for over a year is better than taking a pay cut.

I only posited that you were younger because you said my assumption was wrong; but you are empty nested so he can move for a job at the drop of a hat, and then you figure out the plan after that.

Depends on the field. Older women leave and re enter work force all the time in many industries. Men don’t.

He would love a job with a pay cut! I think you have reading comprehension problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But at least they’ve pivoted! Any tips on how they did that?

Several are subbing/teaching, some got minimum wage jobs (yes Costco etc), some found state/local government jobs...none are making what they were before.