As federal government restructuring continues and hiring freezes create uncertainty, agencies and local governments have a unique opportunity to connect with a growing number of skilled federal employees seeking their next roles. Here are some strategies you can start applying today to set you apart as an employer of choice to federal employees.
Article Highlights:
As anyone in public sector hiring knows, sourcing these candidates isn’t necessarily a simple task. To stand out, agencies need to be more intentional—rethinking how to market open roles, where to source candidates, and what the employee experience should look like from day one. This moment is an unprecedented chance to hire experienced, mission-driven professionals ready to make an impact at the local level.
How can you attract high performing government workers during the federal hiring freeze? Here are the top seven practical strategies.
To compete for top talent, your organization needs to stand out to federal employees who are considering a career change. Where do you start? With a compelling and authentic employer brand. Federal employees are drawn to meaningful work, stability, and integrity—so your messaging should reflect those values at every touchpoint. Here’s how to position your agency as the ideal next step in their career journey:
Want an easier way to showcase your agency and reach the right candidates? With NEOGOV’s Attract, you can promote your brand, tell your agency’s story, and automate outreach across platforms federal job seekers already use – without adding to your workload.
For many federal employees, long-term job security is one of the biggest draws to public service. As uncertainty grows at the federal level, employers have an opportunity to highlight the continued stability they provide at the state and local level. In job descriptions and during the interview process, focus on these key points to build trust and reassure candidates about staying in the public sector:
Even the most competitive job openings won’t attract the right candidates if no one can find them. To reach federal workers effectively, you have to meet them where they already are—both digitally and professionally. How? Consider these high-impact platforms and tactics:
If this seems like a lot, you can save hours on sourcing top-tier candidates by using NEOGOV’s Attract. With this tool, you can automatically find candidates from a network of 2.7M job seekers on GovernmentJobs.com.
Steady paychecks and job titles are important, but they don’t retain top talent over time. For that, employees need to feel valued, supported, and connected. For federal employees navigating a stressful career change, that sense of belonging can make all the difference. Here's how to create an environment that feels welcoming and understanding from day one:
Many federal employees have organized their lives around hybrid and remote work—and they’re looking for roles that preserve that flexibility. Offering modern, adaptable work arrangements can be a major competitive advantage for state and local agencies. Here’s how to make flexibility a part of your hiring strategy:
To attract the right talent in a shifting landscape, guesswork won’t be enough. State and local governments can—and should—use real-time data and predictive analytics to understand what’s working, where gaps exist, and how to refine their hiring strategies to outpace trends. The following tactics can help guide smart, future-focused decisions:
Where can you access recruitment analytics for your agency? If you have NEOGOV’s Attract, they’re built in. You’ll see reporting and ROI results tied to candidates from start-to-finish, so you can measure the impact of different recruitment initiatives. Then you can use this data to inform future decisions and recruiting efforts.
Artificial intelligence isn’t just for the private sector—it’s quickly becoming a game-changer for public agencies looking to modernize their recruitment efforts.For organizations trying to do more with less and attract tech-savvy federal candidates, AI can streamline processes and improve the candidate experience. Here are some ways to integrate it effectively:
Adopting AI doesn’t mean replacing the human side of hiring. It means empowering your team to focus on what matters most: building relationships, creating a great candidate experience, and hiring the right people faster.
As more federal employees explore opportunities outside of the federal government, state and local agencies have a unique opportunity to tap into a growing talent pool and source qualified candidates for hard-to-fill roles.The most effective way to do this is by broadening your sourcing strategy and proactively connecting with candidates through targeted outreach, smart recruitment marketing, and the use of modern tools and data-driven platforms.Once you find that qualified candidates are connecting with your job postings, your agency can motivate them to apply by offering stability, flexibility, and mission-driven work where they know their efforts will matter.
While this is a challenging time for many in the public sector, it’s also a prime opportunity for agencies to connect with experienced professionals who are ready to make an impact and grow their careers in a mission-driven, supportive environment.
NEOGOV’s Attract helps your agency stand out by simplifying outreach, enhancing your employer brand, and connecting you with qualified candidates faster. Spend less time managing job postings—and more time hiring the right people for the roles that matter most.
Attract top talent, and make your next hire your best hire. Learn more about NEOGOV Attract.