Federal jobs are no longer considered stable, leading a significant spike in job applications from current and former federal employees. According to Indeed, there was a 50% increase in applications from federal workers in February, particularly those at agencies targeted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Experts attribute this trend to the low turnover rate in the federal government, which often lasts for decades. However, with hiring slowdowns and limited job openings, many are looking outside the government sector.
The Century Foundation’s Andrew Stettner notes that hiring has slowed down, making it challenging for individuals to find new jobs, especially in areas with high concentrations of government workers. This includes regions like D.C., Colorado, Hawaii, and Alaska, where the skills and talent of laid-off workers may not be matched by available job openings.
As a result, many federal workers are seeking alternative opportunities before they’re forced out, leaving them uncertain about their future prospects.
Source: https://www.marketplace.org/2025/03/25/with-federal-jobs-no-longer-safe-workers-turn-to-job-sites