Applied for a government job in November before the layoffs commenced.

11 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 24,2025 at 5:05PM UTC

   Just personally, I would wait until things have cooled down if it involves relocation. That's a pretty big risk for government jobs right now.

2. AnonymousMarch 24,2025 at 8:37PM UTC

   Thank you and that's what I'm worried about as well. Fortunately, I have family in the area so I do have a small safety net in case things go south. My concern is that it's the type of role I've wanted since early in my career and even if it's a year role, the position ties to together my career trajectory in publishing, public relations and programs. I'd hate to let fear of what if hold me back from a rewarding opportunity. I decided I'm going to have the interview and if offered the role, will decide at that time.

3. AnonymousMarch 30,2025 at 2:44PM UTC

   You are walking into a field with mass uncertainty and zero guarantees. New hires as we have seen are the first to go. It’s possible that the agency you are applying to has gone through a round of cuts, and is being forced to rehire because of a temporary court ruling or because the roles were cut and then the agency realized the position was essential and the personnel cut don’t want to return. With so much downsizing you can likely expect to be tasked to do the work of many people as the mentality is that the government will do more with less. You will be asked to justify your work output and prove you are working weekly. If you survive all of that, you will be subject to political interference and be expected to pledge complete allegiance to the views of the current administration. No leaking information, your computer will likely have software that tracks your data and email content. You will have no safety net, you will be cut for cause, even if you are an exemplary worker. Do not kid yourself. You are walking into one of the most challenging environments in the worst possible time. And no one will have your back. If you decide you’re okay with all that, do not kid yourself. There are hundreds of thousands of government jobs on the chopping block and you simply can’t go in all Polly Anna and then claim you didn’t understand what it was going to be like.

4. Colleen HansonMarch 28,2025 at 3:03PM UTC

   I absolutely agree! I have a couple of different friends who had long-term government jobs and have recently become unemployed due to all of the government downsizing. I would be very cautious, expecially since you are talking about relocating.

5. AnonymousMarch 25,2025 at 1:47AM UTC

   Don't worry about that until you actually receive an offer.

6. Maggie SoldanoMarch 25,2025 at 10:05PM UTC

   Take the interviews — if nothing else, it will be good interview practice. If you do take the job, keep searching for something more secure. We've got more than 3.5 years left in this administration, and anything goes.

7. AnonymousMarch 26,2025 at 1:02PM UTC

   You should be nervous. It’s a mess right now. Unless you are a Trump cabinet member your job will be in jeopardy for the time being. This is my opinion and not based in fact. Just what I am observing across the board. I would also stay away from union work at this time. On the positive side if you do get hired and laid off you can collect unemployment, until thst gets messed with. Go forward with the interviews just to see if you even get the job but make sure you have contingency plans.

8. Zeecil KimmelMarch 28,2025 at 2:52PM UTC

   If you have a job currently then go on the interview, ask relevant questions, and see if you like the answers. If you are unemployed you certainly have nothing to lose. I think we have all learned in the past few years the valuable lesson that nothing is for certain, nothing is perfect and nothing is black and white.

9. AnonymousMarch 29,2025 at 3:40PM UTC

   Although I am eligible through the WRP program for disability considerations and a fast-track to employment, I have not had any real success getting noticed (I am also sure that this program has now been dismantled as part of the extinguishing of anything DEI). I have also backed out of the program and, at this point, would not consider working for the federal government. You have to consider what is right for you, but for me, I can't afford to move only to have the rug pulled out from under me two months into a tenure. I have an income through SSA, but I would not risk moving to a high-cost-of-living area with no network, friends, or family in today's political climate.

10. AnonymousMarch 30,2025 at 5:15PM UTC

    I would definitely go to the interview. Ask the pertinent questions and get whatever you can in writing. As a 25 year federal employee, we’re all on pins and needles as we wait to to learn the fate of our Branch. We are also made aware that the federal government was under a hiring freeze. We’ve also learned that the pay scale will be lowered when hiring resumes- that’s just my agency. We tend to hire a lot of scholars.

11. AnonymousMarch 30,2025 at 5:44PM UTC

    DO NOT DO IT. Do not move for this job. If you are unemployed ok what do you do have to lose. If you have a job don't do it.

    I am a fed and been there almost 20 years none of us know if we will have a job next week.