Amid mass federal layoffs, local businesses and resource centers are responding to a surge in Arlington residents seeking jobs.
While business owners say they’ve received a flood of inquiries from people now out of work, the Arlington Employment Center has seen a 45% year-over-year increase in people accessing services.
“I can tell you that we are getting, I mean, just astronomically more [applications] than we’ve really ever gotten before,” Sarah White, owner of Lost Dog Cafe on Columbia Pike, told ARLnow. “The applications are pouring in.”
Facing unusually high demand, local agencies have been rolling out new strategies to help Arlington residents and inform them of existing resources.
David Remick, executive director of the Alexandria/Arlington Regional Workforce Council, described widespread stress, anger and confusion among federal employees currently seeking help. However, he remains optimistic that workers’ talents and a growing network of local services will help many people land on their feet.
“While there is a diversity of occupations in the federal government … there is that one unifier — that they are highly skilled workers that are dedicated to a mission and have been serving it for a while,” he told ARLnow. “It’s just a matter of figuring out how those skills transfer.”
Federal workers seek local jobs
The number of people accessing services at the Arlington Employment Center has jumped significantly in recent months.
Back in December, the county tracked 430 people attending in-person and virtual workshops, accessing virtual consultation services, calling the AEC and visiting the center in person.
That number bumped up to 34% to 577 in January, and increased again last month to a total of 635 people accessing AEC resources.
That’s a 45% year-over-year increase from February 2024, when 437 people availed themselves of AEC resources.
Some local businesses have also been hearing from noticeably more people in need of jobs.
At Lost Dog Cafe, White said she has received numerous cold calls and emails from seekers since January — despite the fact that she isn’t even hiring.
“If you had an open position six months ago, you might get two or three applicants,” she said. “If you have an open position now, you’re getting 40.”
Overall, “you can definitely tell that there’s a lot more people out there looking for a job — or for a second job — that weren’t six months ago,” White added.
At Simona Cafe in Lyon Village, partner and director Tito Peña experienced a similar application rush in late February — when, in the space of two weeks, four people separately walked in to inquire about a barista job.
“All four of them had some connection to USAID — either worked directly for them, or worked for a company that contracted them,” he said. “They were all furloughed.”
Peña worries that federal layoffs will mean fewer customers, as people have less money to spend at a cafe.
While he hasn’t seen a spending slowdown, he said he’s “keeping an eye on it” — especially as he worries that return-to-office mandates might mean fewer customers working remotely from his business.
“We have so many people who work from the coffee shop during the daytime,” he said. “I sort of worry I’m going to lose out on those people.”
Local groups offer support
In response to the increased demand, local organizations have been redoubling efforts to connect federal workers to available resources.
The Arlington Public Library, which recently hosted a packed town hall for federal employees and contractors, is hosting a workshop titled “Translate Your Public Service Resume” this evening (Thursday).
Other planned events include drop-in resume and search help, a therapist-led discussion on managing workforce stress and an upcoming workshop titled “Launch Your Dream Business: Life After Government.”
“Arlington Public Library’s role is to provide free information and resources and to respond to the needs of the community we serve,” library spokesperson Henrik Sundqvist told ARLnow. “If you are a federal employee or contractor and are facing layoffs, experiencing work-related stress or find yourself in a career transition, visit the library’s resource page and events listing.”
Remick said his team has talked to people from a wide range of government backgrounds: health-care scientists, project managers, IT professionals, financial auditors and people connected to USAID.
Some clients were recently laid off, while others are waiting for the ax to fall. Their experience levels range from a few months to over a decade in their current job.
No matter who you are, Remick said, “looking for work is exhausting. They say it’s a job. It is a job.”
Remick’s team is encouraging people to take advantage of local opportunities. On Saturday, March 22, for instance, the AEC is hosting a workshop called “Preparing for Change: Transitioning from Federal to Private Sector.”
The Alexandria/Arlington Regional Workforce Council has a webpage on resources for federal workers and is offering one-on-one counseling support for people figuring out what to do next.
In addition to connecting workers to jobs and unemployment benefits, Remick has been advising people to find ways to stay motivated and productive in their job search while also prioritizing their mental health.
“It goes back to, all right, well, what are the skills that you bring that you can transfer and translate into opportunities that are available here?” he said. “Are there other jobs like this available elsewhere, in either the tri-state region or country or the world?”
Above all, he urged applicants not to lose hope.
“I don’t have a crystal ball,” he said. “But there is opportunity. That I can tell you.”
