My DOJ attorney friends have landed well. I haven’t seen announcements from my non-DOJ friends so I assume they’re largely still looking.

I applied mid June, had two interviews, and accepted an offer on this past Monday.

I’m in Defense

Anonymous wrote:If you’re a former fed what has your job hunting experience been like? I’m getting let go and trying to see what other experiences have been like.

It’s not. Not at all.

It's been challenging. I didn't expect to be back on the job market at 50. I've been doing basically the same thing for 20 years, something that's very rare in my non-DMV major metropolitan area.

As I haven't found a single open job opening that's squarely in my lane, I've been pivoting and applying for jobs that are rather different from my experience. I feel fortunate that I've had interviews for half a dozen jobs, even 2nd/3rd rounds, but haven't received any offers. My working theory is that they have other candidates that aren't a risk and need far less training. TBH, I wouldn't hire me for several of these jobs as the substantive area AND the day-to-day processes are unlike anything I have experience with. I can hope that I click so well with a hiring manager that they decide to take a chance on me. I've had ZERO luck with any fully remote positions - I've only had interviews with local organizations.

The other problem is all the jobs that pay $60-80k. I was a GS-14/10. I just can't make that work. I made $120k in 2001 and $93k at my first federal job in 2004. I've set my floor at $100k, but goodness $130k+ would be better. I'm very fortunate in that I took VERA so my health insurance should be secure and I'll be getting a small pension starting next year.

I've been looking for 3-4 months and seem to always have something in the works, either an upcoming interview or post-interview awaiting news. I think I'll struggle more if I go few months without any nibbles. On the positive side, I've encountered plenty of people that want to help former feds. I've had to get over myself and ask them for help, and they've invariably been eager to do so.

I wonder if level and department matter. Many people I know in Fed and Corporate have been looking for months.

My coworkers seem to be doing well with our contractors hiring them. Good salaries and telework...and of course they are still getting fed salaries for a few more months

Anecdotally it seems there is a bias against people who were let go. Doesn’t matter if a fed or not. Even people let go from top companies or teams are having trouble if they were laid off. Some companies especially tech companies have taken the GE approach laying off the bottom 10% of every team. You may perform better than 90% of the company but be unfortunate being the weakest member of the best team. It sucks.

Hiring managers seem to be better than HR or the machines at understanding this. Unfortunately, HR and their machines are the gatekeepers unless you have a contact.

OP, work your network no matter how long it’s been since you’ve contacted them. Do not lose hope. Spend like you’re already between jobs. Good luck.

People are hiring. I’m a current fed. We’ve lost 10 people in my medium sized office, all of them to other jobs.

I left my private sector (but govt. contractor) job in February and joined another govt. contractor. In my orientation were multiple Feds who took the fork or got DOGEd and had immediately landed a gig with my new company.

Anonymous wrote:All the jobs are being outsourced to India or replaced by AI

No one is really hiring. People are in a panic. I know several small companies who are on the verge of bankruptcy because the federal government hasn't paid their bills. Also, federal government experience doesn't translate as easily to this economy. Companies may be wary of hiring people the federal government has released in case they are blackballed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not yet a former fed. I’ve gotten interviews and even second and third interviews. No offers.

Thanks. how long have you been looking? I’ve been looking all year basically. I’m at the top of my game professionally and have had 3 interviews, and I haven’t run across any former fed colleagues who’ve landed new roles yet.

I’ve been looking since February. I know lots of feds who’ve found new roles — which just makes me feel pathetic.

All the jobs are being outsourced to India or replaced by AI

Anonymous wrote:Not yet a former fed. I’ve gotten interviews and even second and third interviews. No offers.

Thanks. how long have you been looking? I’ve been looking all year basically. I’m at the top of my game professionally and have had 3 interviews, and I haven’t run across any former fed colleagues who’ve landed new roles yet.

Not yet a former fed. I’ve gotten interviews and even second and third interviews. No offers.

If you’re a former fed what has your job hunting experience been like? I’m getting let go and trying to see what other experiences have been like.