Get Hired



States target fired federal workers in recruitment drives

New York launched a job recruitment ad campaign targeting fired federal workers at midnight Monday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's (D) "you're hired" campaign to fill 7,000 public sector roles follows similar jobs initiatives in other states aimed at people who were laid off in the Trump administration's federal government overhaul, driven by DOGE, which billionaire Elon Musk is the face of.

A screenshot of an NY jobs ad targeting fired federal workers, saying "New York wants you! Ny.gov/wewantyou" and the words "DOGE said you're fired? We say, you're hired!'"
Screenshot: N.Y. governor's office

 N.Y. has opened a portal with resources for job-seekers that updated early Monday, with the message: "If you have lost your federal job due to cuts, or just want to get out, New York says 'You're Hired!'"

  • The message notes that N.Y. has more than 7,000 current job openings in a "wide range of career fields" and that the state "values its state workforce, providing a host of benefits, including a nation-leading Paid Parental Leave policy."
  • Meanwhile, recruitment ads were displayed on digital directory displays throughout New York City's Union Station from midnight, per an emailed statement Sunday from Sam Spokony, a spokesperson for the governor.

Spokony said in a text message Monday evening that some of the most in-demand jobs that were currently vacant included engineers, educators, healthcare workers, attorneys, technologists, and public policy experts.

  • "We'll continue to update our online resources whenever new job opportunities become available," Spokony added.

"Elon Musk and his clueless cadre of career killers know nothing about how government works, who it serves, and the tireless federal employees who keep it running," Hochul said in a statement to Axios.

  • "Here in New York we don't vilify public servants, we value them and their efforts. So when DOGE says 'You're fired,' New York is ready to say 'You're hired' — and we're making sure talented, experienced federal workers know about the many opportunities available in our state workforce."

White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said in a statement to N.Y. outlets, "Leave it to the failed New York State bureaucracy to stack their payrolls with more bureaucrats … Growing the public sector is not President Trump's definition of job creation."

  • Representatives for the Trump administration did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment in the evening.

Other states to announce recruitment and support campaigns for fired federal workers include Virginia, which has launched a resources roundup page.

  • "Come experience those powerful words of 'You are hired.' Take advantage of the resources that will help you find your pathway to that career of your dreams," said Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) at a briefing announcing the drive to promote the state's more than 250,000 open positions.
  • In Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Friday announced "expanded resource webpages across state government, partnerships to launch job fairs across the state, and directives for agencies to facilitate public servant transitions to new careers in Maryland," per a statement from the governor's office.
  • In Hawai'i, Gov. Josh Green (D) signed an executive order designed to expedite the state's hiring process and attract fired federal workers, and the City and County of Honolulu launched the Federal-to-Municipal Workforce Transition Initiative.