SPECIAL EDITION: Resources for Unemployed Federal Workers
If you're one of the thousands of federal workers or contractors who’ve lost their jobs — or if you’re concerned that you’re about to join them — you need and deserve support. We’ve assembled some helpful resources to help you figure out what to do next.
Here, you’ll find information on applying for unemployment and securing health insurance benefits, as well as job-searching tips for returning to the civilian workforce. We’ve included resources to help you find job listings, free career coaching, transition assistance, resume and cover letter guidance, tools for converting public to private sector experience, and job search advice.
This is a scary time but you are not alone. Here’s where to look for help.
Career Guidance and Employment Support
Career Pivot Bootcamp offered by the Partnership for Public Service is a 30 day free boot camp providing career coaching, practical tools, and resources to help you navigate a career pivot from federal employment.
Coaching Collaborative is offering free coaching to former federal employees, contractors, and implementing partners who have been recently furloughed, laid off, put on administrative leave, are otherwise unemployed as a result of executive action and federal workforce reductions, and individuals who are concerned that they may fall into these categories in the near future.
Coursera is offering free courses and career resources to federal workers. You can access courses and certificates in high-growth fields like artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, project management, and more.
Fired After 50: AARP has helpful advice for older federal workers who have lost their jobs, including advice on applying for unemployment, securing health insurance, and starting a job search.
Graduate Career Consortium members are offering free career support for those affected by federal firings, funding cuts, and hiring freezes, including for contractors, grant-funded folks, and others. You can request a resume review or a 30-minute conversation at https://lnkd.in/gcag8huf. There’s also a helpful list of resources for federal workers organized by category.
The National Career Development Association is offering pro bono career services to displaced federal workers. Here's a list of members providing free assistance.
The Partnership for Public Service has information and resources on federal workforce reductions and reorganizations, the rights and responsibilities of federal employment, congressional procedures, events, webinars, and more.
The Public Service Support Hub supports international development, federal, and nonprofit professionals, organizations, and advocates navigating the impacts of the federal cuts.
Solutions For Starting Your Federal Career Transition eBook ($7.49) provides step-by-step guidance for transitioning from the federal workforce, including how to position yourself for private sector success, resume writing, translating fed-speak into corporate language, getting the most out of LinkedIn, and the essential strategies you need to land your next opportunity.
FiredFed Resources is a LinkedIn Group with lots of resources for federal workers, including webinars, support groups, employment resources, and job postings.
Fed Layoffs is a community resource that helps federal employees navigate their next chapter. It includes information on worker rights, support services (financial and mental health), transition services, networking, career planning, job searching, and skills development.
The Depot supports federal employees and contractors whose roles were eliminated or who are experiencing unexpected job changes.
Wellfed provides support for former (and current) federal employees and contractors at every stage of career transition, including events, workshops, career development and community resources, and tools and templates.
Bryce Legal has transition resources including general, and military resources for federal government lawyers and law students impacted by the current administration.
Maryland’s Department of Labor has resources for federal workers, including unemployment insurance benefits, career guidance, reemployment support, and legal assistance.
Maryland's American Job Center offers job listings, referrals to training programs, placement services, resume preparation assistance, and workshops.
Virginia Career Works has helpful information on transitioning from the federal government, with tips and resources for federal employees who may be returning to the civilian workforce. Virginia Career Works also offers free services, including job listings, resume help, career coaching, and training programs.
Job Search Resources
Job Search Tools
Free Tools for Your Job Search: Use these free tools to streamline your job search, including a checklist of what you need to get started, resume and cover letter writing and editing tools, the best ways to find relevant job postings, apps to manage and track your job search, and interview practice tools to help you get hired.
Write a LinkedIn Open to Work post: Here's a guide to writing an Open to Work post on LinkedIn to let your connections and recruiters know that you’re available.
Attend a LinkedIn Webinar: LinkedIn’s Rock Your Profile Webinars will help you build a great profile.
Federal 2 Industry (F2I) is showcasing "Open to Work" posts from federal workers on LinkedIn and has tools to help those transitioning from the federal workforce.
Best Military Resume is offering 2 free tailored resumes and LinkedIn optimization to all federal workers. You’ll also find tips and advice for transitioning to the private sector.
Update Your Federal Resume for Private Sector Jobs: Advice on how to modify your federal resume for private sector jobs and stand out from other applicants from MyPerfectResume.
JobMatch Pro: JobMatch Pro is an AI-powered career platform that helps job seekers optimize applications, practice interviews, and find their ideal role with personalized coaching, smart job matching, and insights into company culture. HRbrain.ai is offering this free for all federal government workers, whether you are impacted by cuts or not. Email: TimGlowa@HRbrain.ai to learn more.
Teal: Use Teal’s AI Resume Builder to tailor your resume for jobs, the Job Tracker to organize and manage your job search, the Chrome extension to bookmark open positions from 40 job boards, and the interview practice tool to get ready to ace your interviews (the basic version is free).
Job Listings
Civic Match: Connects public sector talent with state and local government jobs.
GovJobs.fyi: state and local government, nonprofit, and private sector jobs.
Public Solution Jobs: A curated list of research, civic tech, data analytics, and policy positions at universities, nonprofits, and state and local governments.
Job Search Database: When you're looking for a job in a specific industry or career field, using job sites that focus on the types of jobs you're interested in can be a time-saver. The Job Search Database includes links to hundreds of niche career sites organized by category.
8 Popular Job Sites for 2025: Coursera’s list of some of the best job search sites.
Best Job Sites for 2025: Money’s list of the top job search sites for 2025.
States Recruiting Federal Workers: Some states have implemented special hiring programs to recruit federal workers for state jobs.
Layoffs, Unemployment, and Employee Benefits
Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) provides unemployment compensation for federal employees who have lost their employment at no fault of their own. Claims should be filed in the state where the federal employee's last official duty station was located, with limited exceptions.
Federal News Network has advice on appeals, unemployment, health benefits, and life insurance for terminated probationary employees.
Rise Up Federal Workers Legal Defense Network connects federal workers who have lost their jobs or who are concerned about losing them with free legal support through a network of pro bono attorneys.
Reddit's News, Information, & Discussion for Federal Employees (/r/fednews) has information on layoffs, firings, and litigation.
Get Financial Help: You you may be eligible for financial assistance to help you through this difficult time. Here’s a list of financial strategies and resources for unemployed workers.
More Information
CFP Board has free financial resources for former and current federal workers, including a list of certified financial planners offering free or low cost financial planning.
The Impact Map: The Impact Map provides data on policy, funding, and workforce changes and their effects on local communities.
Federal Government Layoff Trackers: These trackers report on federal workforce cuts.
Chat With Us
We aren’t experts on federal employment, but we would be glad to answer any job search or career-related questions we can. Join us on our Substack chat.
Hello readers!
I lead U.S. programming for Generation, a non-profit job training and placement provider. I know many former Feds are newly looking for work and I wanted to share our free training program for those who may be interested in reskilling into a tech sales role.
We offer a free, online, full-time 10 week tech sales bootcamp that includes access to a laptop and personalized coaching, as well as the opportunity to earn a HubSpot Sales Certification and $900 upon completion of a 45-hour micro-internship. Generation has graduated over 130K learners across 17 countries, with a 85% graduation rate and 80% job placement rate 6 months post program.
We are accepting applicants for our next cohort that starts on May 25. Check out our webpage to learn more and apply: https://usa.generation.org/saas-sales/
Thank you so much for this information!