Beacon Hill’s Kim Ayers Featured in Fortune Article on Federal Workforce Layoffs

Kim Ayers, Regional Director of Beacon Hill’s Government Services division, was featured in Fortune's article “Thousands of laid-off government workers are flooding a shrinking job market,” written by journalist Rachel Phua and published on June 20, 2025.

In the article, Kim offered insights into the growing wave of federal job seekers entering the private sector due to government layoffs and internal restructuring.

“We’ve seen a noticeable increase in job seekers from the federal space throughout Q1 and Q2 of this year. Many are reaching out due to workforce reductions or internal reorganizations. The trend spans several sub-industries, including technology, operations and security services,” said Kim.

The Fortune feature highlights the challenges thousands of former government employees face as they look to pivot in a job market that continues to tighten. Kim’s commentary emphasized Beacon Hill’s front-line view of this trend, as well as the company’s commitment to helping impacted professionals transition into new roles.

Federal Job Market Trends: What We're Seeing

As the federal landscape continues to evolve, the job market for government contractors and federal workers, especially in the Washington, D.C. area, is experiencing notable shifts. In periods of administrative change, agencies often reevaluate budgets and priorities. This has led to some departments slowing their hiring efforts, while others are actively investing in high-priority programs. These fluctuations are typical of broader government spending cycles.

At Beacon Hill, we’ve seen a clear uptick in outreach from government contractors and federal employees throughout the first half of 2025. Many job seekers are navigating workforce reductions or internal reorganizations, particularly in sub-industries like technology, operations and security services.

For professionals who have spent years, or even decades, with a single agency, adjusting to today’s dynamic job market can feel overwhelming. That’s where Beacon Hill steps in. Our recruiters act as trusted career advocates, helping candidates fine-tune their resumes, navigate interviews and better understand hiring trends. We’re here to ensure they’re not just searching for a job but finding the right fit.

The response from the employer's side has been mixed. Some organizations are delaying hires, while others are actively pushing forward with workforce expansion. For those who are landing roles, we’re seeing strong demand for technical consultants, particularly in engineering, operations, cybersecurity and software development. Many of these successful transitions are driven by candidates who’ve partnered with recruiters to stand out in a competitive market.

Ready to Make a Move?

Whether you're navigating a career transition or looking to strengthen your team with top talent from the federal space, Beacon Hill’s Government Services division is here to help.

Connect with us today to learn how we can support your next step, whether it’s your next hire or your next role.

About Kim Ayers

Kim Ayers serves as Regional Director at Beacon Hill, overseeing technology and government services across the DC Metro, Virginia Beach and Baltimore markets. With over a decade of experience in recruiting and account management, she is a trusted partner to IT professionals and clients, delivering high-end technology solutions across both commercial and federal sectors. 

About Beacon Hill   

Beacon Hill is a leading nationwide provider of staffing and consulting solutions delivered by our collective of 1,400+ of the industry’s foremost specialty practitioners. Job seekers and companies seeking to augment their staff receive white-glove service from our industry-focused divisions: Beacon Hill Associates, Beacon Hill Digital & Creative, Beacon Hill Financial, Beacon Hill Government Services, Beacon Hill HR, Beacon Hill Legal, Beacon Hill Life Sciences, Beacon Hill National Security,  Beacon Hill Technologies and OneBeacon.

Click here to learn more about our specialty divisions and market sectors.  

If you are interested in pursuing career opportunities, click here to view all current openings.  

Beacon Hill’s niche brands provide direct hire, executive search, contract staffing, contract consulting, contract-to-hire, and MSP/VMS and RPO solutions to emerging growth companies and the Fortune 500 across multiple market sectors and all industries. In 2024, Beacon Hill outpaced the market’s growth with revenues over $1 billion.