How to Keep Your Job Search Moving During the Government Shutdown
Jobseekers have not had it easy in 2025. Unfortunately, the latest government shutdown is now adding more salt to those wounds. When hiring freezes and delays set in, it’s easy to feel like your career is stuck too. A government shutdown can feel like everything grinds to a halt — including your career plans. But this isn’t a dead end. It’s a chance to be strategic and keep your momentum going. This blog will offer practical ways to stay active, visible, and prepared.
However, uncertainty doesn’t have to equal inaction. As a Coach, I am believer in taking the right actions and utilizing the right approach to get results. Let’s start with some context with where we are right now.
As we know, the federal government shutdown has impacted numerous federal workers as the current administration has been laying off and attempting to RIF as many employees as possible. With no end in sight, it leaves many more looking for jobs. We should acknowledge reality- yes, there have been funding cuts and there is now increased uncertainty and a larger pool of applicants. However, this doesn’t mean that job seekers should give up on their job search or their career goals and development. Let’s talk about what it does mean.
Options still exist, even though they might be a bit more limited. State and local governments are still recruiting and looking for good candidates. This can be a prime window of opportunity to reconsider your positioning and strengthen it.
Shift Your Focus To What You Can Control
It is especially important not to let your job search suffer during this time. I realize that we have a lot happening around us and it might feel like the world is on fire, but we can control the things that affect us- our health, careers, families, finances, etc. If we quit working on these things that we are giving up on ourselves because things can’t stay this way forever. It is better to shift from wanting and waiting to acting. This is because when we are in a mindset of wanting and waiting, your mindset can shift to one of anxiety and inner conflict, leading to feelings of inertia, paralysis, and frustration. You may ruminate on future possibilities while neglecting the present, creating a cycle where you feel unable to move forward because you are waiting for the “perfect time” or external permission. This state can fuel negative self-talk and a sense of helplessness, which reinforces the feeling of being stuck.
I always emphasize mindset in a job search because it impacts everything that you do- how you feel about yourself, how you put those thoughts out into the world, how well you interview, and the type of job offer you receive.
It is important to then shift your mindset into action. Moving from a mindset of being stuck to taking action shifts your focus from a state of inaction and self-doubt to one of progress and self-belief. Taking action, even small steps, creates momentum and motivation, proving to yourself that you are capable and that progress is possible. This process moves you from a negative cycle of feeling worse to a positive one where small successes build confidence and reinforce the belief that you can achieve your goals.
A government shutdown can feel like everything grinds to a halt — including your career plans.
So, what can you do?
Update, Strengthen, and Refine Your Application Materials
Be sure that your resume is updated to reflect recent achievements. Optimize your LinkedIn profile to ensure the best visibility and keywords on the platform. You also want to draft or refine targeted cover letters. Be sure to translate any experience into language that resonates with state and local governments. You want to be sure that you read job descriptions thoroughly and if you need assistance, please don’t be afraid to ask for it.
When writing and updating these materials you want to refrain from using AI as much as possible. AI will not provide the best information for you. It is important to remember that the information provided by AI is only as good as the prompts that are put into it. And AI prompting is a skill by itself. AI also should not be used like a copywriter- especially for career materials. It is important that they are not generic, include accomplishments and metrics whenever possible, and translate your experiences into language that resonates with the role you are applying for. It is also important that your resume is not laden with keywords but rather a demonstration of what you can do and how you have done it. Please remember that hiring managers are looking for impact.
Expand Network and Visibility
Networking is extremely important right now in a job search. If you haven’t connected with the right professionals yet, now is the time to do so. I would consider any professional associations, public sector LinkedIn groups and community groups and committees. I would conduct informational interviews as much as possible instead of just applying through job boards. Also, be sure to share and comment on public sector insights and posts online to remain visible.
Be Targeted, Specific, and Strategic
I encourage jobseekers to consistently seek out new opportunities within public sector agencies, targeting the ones that are of the most interest. I do not ever encourage job seekers to spray and prey because that doesn’t put a lot of effort into the process and recruiters and hiring managers can tell. Yes, it is taking more applications to get more interviews, but I wouldn’t encourage anyone to apply for a role that they’re not interested in. Why waste your time or anyone else’s if you should get an interview?
Please remember that this process is still based on human interaction and requires authenticity, strategy, and knowing what your career goals are. If you need to strengthen your technical or leadership skills, now is the time to do that as well. Join any webinars and take any relevant courses and certifications during this time. This investment of time and money will help you to future-proof your career.
Create a structure for yourself to maintain daily and weekly momentum by setting realistic goals and time blocking your calendar for those activities. Utilize any tracking tools, checklists, spreadsheets, or project management tools necessary to help you stay on track. It will help you maintain momentum and maintain an action-oriented mindset.
Remember, momentum is oftentimes built in quiet moments. This is your opportunity to get ahead.
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