Career Pivot: With You Since the Start, Still Standing Next to You
The sudden shock, the quiet panic, the feeling of a world turned upside down. Losing a job, especially one tied to a mission you believed in, is a profound trauma. At Career Pivot, we’re not just a community; we’re a collective of people who understand that pain, because we’re living it too. We’re here to help you navigate this mass trauma event, demystify your career transition, and build the next phase of your professional life, together.
Federal service is under a sustained attack
Let’s be blunt: federal service is under a sustained attack, and we’ve seen the playbook. USAID was just the start. This Administration isn’t stopping there; they’re actively shrinking the Executive branch, creating widespread trauma across the federal workforce, its partners, contractors, and consultants. What began as a sudden rush of attacks has evolved into a prolonged siege. We’ve felt the ripple effect, and we know you have too.
USAID was first. Now it’s CFPB, NIH, FEMA, EPA, DoEdu, CIA, FBI... The list goes on. Each acronym represents hundreds of thousands of people now unemployed and many more whose jobs and livelihoods are under threat. More jobs will be cut. More families will be disrupted. More communities will be in crisis.
Career Pivot is here to help you and us navigate the long haul
Hi, I’m Joe O’Connor, and with my partner, Jonathan Keenan, we’re honored to carry forward the incredible work Wayan Vota started with Career Pivot in February 2025. Wayan’s vision was to create a space for everyone affected by the body blows to the federal workforce and international development sector. We’re building on that foundation, because like many of you, we’ve been there.
We are still currently working for federal agencies and deal with the constant stress that comes with knowing that our livelihoods are balanced on the edge of a knife. We know the trauma of losing a job and a self-identity firsthand – the empty pockets, the flowing tears on a workday. This isn’t just a community; it’s our community.
Join us now
We are here to help you commiserate… and then celebrate a new beginning.
Practical Guidance: Finding your candidate-market fit in the new normal (and learning terms like market fit in the process!), honest feedback on how recruiters see your LinkedIn profile and resume, and sector-focused discussions to move from public service to the private sector.
Skill Building: Community calls to learn about job search tools and tricks, like GenAI for your resume.
Targeted Support: Intimate discussions on topics that matter to you, like how ‘older’ workers can find new jobs, and self-help teams to provide inspiration and accountability in your job search.
Holistic Well-being: Mental health resources for the moments when it will be really hard, financial guidance that demystifies confusing and complicated aspects of job loss and career transition, and connections to local and regional events to rebuild your sense of connection and fight against the loneliness of the job search.
We are expanding the scope of the newsletter through the development of several new article series, designed to provide ongoing insights and support:
Brick by Brick: Highlighting stories of people who have decided to build new organizations which allow them to move away from traditional 9-to-5 jobs
The Parent Trap: Exploring the unique challenges of parents and caregivers as they navigate job loss, economic uncertainty, and political uncertainty
Staying Sane & Seeking Balance: Offering resources, guidance, and activities related to mental and physical well-being to help stave off burnout and despair.
Pivot Success Stories: Sharing inspiring stories and lessons learned from community members who have made successful career transitions.
Gather & Grow: Featuring local and global opportunities for learning and connection.
Flexing Forward: Covering stories of people leveraging alternative skills or pursuing unconventional paths to sustain themselves.
Missing Payday: Providing insights and guidance related to personal finance and financial planning topics.
How to Pivot: Offering comprehensive career-focused job advice, including tools, research, and general guidance.
Evolving Landscape of Development: Discussing how the landscape of international development is evolving since the closure of USAID.
Insider Insights: Featuring perspectives from hiring managers, recruiters, and HR professionals, offering valuable perspectives on all aspects of the hiring process.
I was just getting started: Providing advice for young professionals who were just beginning their careers in the international development or federal sector as this crisis began to unfold.
We are also actively pursuing partnerships with the many other groups that have leapt into action to push back against this prolonged threat to our livelihoods. We are helping to build a coordinated assistance network to ensure that everyone in our community is able to access the resources, guidance, and support they need to rebuild their futures.
More ways to help
Beyond direct support, there are more ways to help us amplify our impact and support our community.
Sponsor a Peer: If you have the means, please consider sponsoring your peers who are navigating this challenging time.
Partner with Us: Recruiters, headhunters, and career coaches – our global community of over 13,000 members is eager for your insights. Email us to explore how we can collaborate effectively, especially for our “Insider Insights” series.
Support Your Employees: For HR professionals, senior executives, or labor union officials facing layoffs, Career Pivot offers a soft landing for your employees’ work transitions.
Join Our Network: If you’re an organization doing good work in the career transition or wellness space, and you’re looking for a passionate community, let’s connect. We’re building a network to amplify impact.
Share Your Story: Your experiences are powerful. We are actively seeking community members to share their journeys for our article series like “My Pivot,” “Brick by Brick,” and “The Parent Trap.” Your story can inspire, guide, and empower others during this prolonged period of change. If you’re interested in contributing, please reach out to us!
What else do you need?
We don’t have all the answers, and we certainly don’t know all your needs. But we are committed to pivoting this service – just as we all must pivot in our careers – to better help you overcome your challenges and find your next meaningful role.
Your voice matters. Please, let us know how Career Pivot can evolve to serve you better. This is our community, and together, we’ll build a stronger future.
Thank you for your trust,
