Amazon is coming to town: Everybody panic! How will the government compete with the behemoth for tech talent? The government is up against more and more companies like Google that pay high salaries, offer free meals, book onsite masseuses, take teams on lavish retreats, you name it.
Speculations about Amazon’s impact on hiring in the area range between those convinced that Amazon will suck up all the tech talent to others who believe the company will bring a bigger, more diverse pool of candidates. Only time will tell, and regardless of Amazon, the government needs top tech talents more than ever.
The good news is that the government is working on the most important problems that directly affect everyday life, and a growing faction of the tech workforce wants a compelling mission even more than money. But once tech hires are in the door at federal agencies, the hard part is retaining them.
Already, federal agencies are taking various approaches to improve their appeal to better bring in and retain tech talent. New, forward-leaning government organizations like the U.S. Digital Service and 18F have sprouted in the past five years recruiting heavily from the private sector. We’re seeing an increase in government missions that require data scientists. The Defense Innovation Unit has reservists working out of SpaceX.
What can other federal agencies do to become more competitive, attractive employers and better retain tech talent?
Use existing hiring waivers and exceptions. While the government has plenty of ways to bring tech talent in, GAO found in 2016 that federal agencies were overwhelmed with too many special hiring authorities and relied on just 20 of the 105 options. Use competitive service ..
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