For those affected by USAID job loss, how to move forward in 2026

When the Trump administration swiftly dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development early last year, thousands of development professionals were unexpectedly thrust into survival mode overnight. Contracts were frozen, teams dismantled, and long-planned career paths suddenly disappeared. In the months since, those whose jobs were affected have not only faced an unprecedentedly challenging job market, but also significant emotional fallout. From feelings of betrayal to the loss of the communities they both served and worked in, a grieving process was understandably triggered. “I think the stages of grief are really important,” Radhika Bhatt, a climate and social impact career coach, said. “I saw some people just not attempt to process what happened and jump straight into the job search, and that’s a fast track to burnout.” One year on from the first signs of trouble at the U.S. agency, Bhatt said more professionals appear ready to take their next steps from a position of strength. “I have witnessed more people who have processed their emotions, and the benefits of that are actually being able to move forward with grace, and with honesty around your needs as a person, too,” Bhatt said. For those ready to move forward in 2026, there is no single “right” way, according to the sector career experts Devex spoke to. But all emphasized the importance of recognizing that this moment likely requires different approaches than past development job searches. Consider the following steps to help you find the best professional and personal fit in the year ahead. Be clear on wants versus needs, then focus According to social impact career coach Kelsi Kriitmaa, intentionality is especially important in the current recruitment environment. “Know the difference between if you are looking for the job or a job, because embarking on a job search can feel incredibly overwhelming, particularly when it's unstructured,” she said. This will often depend on your financial runway, or how much time you can afford to spend job hunting without bringing in additional income, Stephanie Mansueto, a social impact career coach and former development recruiter, said. “If someone tells me their financial runway is six months, I think their job search strategy is different, because interview processes alone can take three months, if not longer,” Mansueto said. “If you have less than six months, then you may need to think about how to transfer your skills across other sectors.” Once immediate needs are clear, the next step is to narrow the focus — something many development professionals struggle with precisely because they are so adaptable, according to Bhatt. “Many development professionals are superpower generalists,” she said. “But if you apply to everything, your story doesn’t resonate anywhere.” Try to avoid what recruitment professionals call “spraying and praying,” a tempting strategy that prioritizes quantity over quality in job applications. Instead, experts advise job seekers to get specific: about roles, sectors, and — most importantly — the parts of their work that actually energize them. Reframe networking as ‘learning, not asking’ Many job seekers prioritize applications when job hunting, with networking treated as more of an afterthought, experts said. But according to Bhatt, once you have narrowed down your focus, networking should come next. “When you find a focus area, you are able to tell a better story, a more compelling story that aligns you to that job, and when you're networking with people, you're going to be able to have a stronger through line to your story that also helps it resonate,” Bhatt said. “Consider applying to jobs as the last step, because networking really is the name of the game right now,” she added. Before you start scrolling your LinkedIn connections for potential leads, consider how you’ve networked in the past, and whether it’s aligned with relationship-building, rather than asking for immediate referrals. That means being intentional about who to speak with, doing research beforehand, and focusing conversations on learning rather than requests. Jack Jarrett, an international HR adviser, described networking as “learning, not asking.” Starting with former colleagues, classmates, or peers removes pressure and makes conversations more genuine, he said. “Most people enjoy talking about their career journeys,” Jarrett said. “If you frame it as curiosity, it changes the dynamic completely.” Kriitmaa encouraged a slower, more immersive approach focused on giving before expecting anything in return. This might mean commenting thoughtfully on LinkedIn posts, attending panels, or sharing relevant research — small actions that signal genuine interest before requesting a conversation. Reframing your approach in these ways eliminates the transactional nature many professionals still associate with traditional networking and find difficult to navigate. Apply last — and be ‘relentlessly creative’ Only after narrowing your focus and rebuilding networks should your job applications take priority, Bhatt said. She also emphasized that, in what will likely remain a highly competitive recruitment landscape in 2026 and beyond, traditional approaches to how you find and apply to positions may still fall short. “Do not be afraid to be relentlessly creative,” Bhatt advised. “All bets are off. Hiring practices are changing, recruiting is changing — so the job search has to change too.” This includes trying new ways to uncover opportunities that you might not have been on your radar before and involves looking beyond well-known institutions to collaborators, grantees, and partners. In practice, identifying these organizations can be as simple as exploring the websites of well-known agencies you might be interested in working for, and learning about their partners and fundees, Bhatt said. Mansueto added that generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, can quickly identify organizations funded by well-known players such as the Gates Foundation. Creative approaches can extend to how you apply as well. “I've seen people send cupcakes to a potential employer with a QR code on the top that links to their resume,” Bhatt said. “That might seem crazy, but don't be afraid to approach things differently and creatively in a way that maybe no one else is doing it.”