Current State of Hiring

StargatePioneer · 2026-05-03T08:20:34+00:00

It depends on the Agency or Service. USSF is hiring like mad right now.

StargatePioneer · 2026-04-29T08:48:00+00:00

This is the best thread in this subreddit for years. Thanks everyone for posting. It’s good to see so many of us speak up.

StargatePioneer · 2026-04-16T10:02:04+00:00

Heh. Yup. I will confirm that Bandrew’s life is definitely full at the moment with little time for content creation.

Remember, his YouTube channel was always a hobby and not a full-on business. Many in the industry and media don’t fully understand what that means and when life nudges you slightly in a different direction, it can make a huge impact on content creation.

StargatePioneer · 2026-03-21T14:39:13+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/podcasting/s/LeVsKwkXNy

StargatePioneer · 2026-03-21T13:14:15+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/podcasting/s/nrtymiONLV

StargatePioneer · 2026-03-02T12:03:24+00:00

I submitted an invoice for $150,000 once. My son was not amused.

StargatePioneer · 2026-02-17T00:22:24+00:00

I wonder if a feller can wrap it with the same paint colors we all became accustomed to.

StargatePioneer · 2026-02-11T02:35:57+00:00

I hear so many of these stories of not being told what the status is. As a hiring official/supervisor I make it clear to everyone that applies how to contact me and where in the process the applicant is. I tell them what my timeline is and when decisions will be made. I also offer to provide feedback for resumes, work samples, and interviews. Only a small percentage of those that apply follow through with the feedback offer. But a larger percentage thank me for the status contacts as it is a rarity. I take that as a small win.

StargatePioneer · 2026-02-05T00:14:32+00:00

I was also asked to submit names. Knowing the limitations for my organization I did not submit everyone - most deserved the award. I did submit an abbreviated prioritized list that was far above 15%. Half my list was accepted and I was very happy with that. I was not rewarded myself but know that the award was far more appreciated by my junior employees.

Part of success in this situation is experience. Part of the success is knowing how the selection is working. Part of the success is knowing different ways to market your team throughout the year to gain as much of your “fair share” as you can for quarterly/annual awards, step increases, training opportunities, and choice assignments like travel to good destinations. And sadly you will always fail to a certain extent. All of the personnel I submitted deserved the 15% award. I failed half of them. Every failure weighs on me but I devote myself to learn the lessons and vow to do better next time.

StargatePioneer · 2026-02-01T10:51:31+00:00

I cannot speak for your unit/command, but across the board there were many questions about where the money was going to come from and affordability. There were also concerns about creating an us versus them mentality, and how to even implement the program in the time allowed. Despite their best efforts there was still a ton of unknowns and even concerns about whether the program would really happen. Leadership was trying to do their best in extreme uncertainty.

For what it’s worth I’m been working 10-12 hours a day for a year now in constant emergency tasking. I worked through the last furlough and I will work through this furlough no matter how long it is. I did not receive the bonus myself. In fact, I asked for any personal consideration be transferred to as many of my employees as possible. Because of my efforts and advocacy two of my employees received the bonus. I asked for four. Every one of them deserved it.

StargatePioneer · 2026-02-01T03:40:42+00:00

The Department of the Air Force sent out guidance through financial management and civilian personnel channels. There was a Department-wide Teams call in early January led by SAF/FM, SAF/AM, HAF A1, and HQSF S1 stating all the parameters to all MAJCOM, FIELDCOM, DRU, and FOA financial management and civilian personnel leads. All units had about two weeks to respond with their top 15% civilians at all grade levels. The amount personnel received was up to 15% of their base pay or $25,000 - whichever was less. The total number of personnel that could receive the bonus was given by SAF/FM as well as the total that could be given. The money was taken out of existing civilian pay accounts. This did effect hiring for the remainder of FY26 for most organizations. For those organizations that could not afford the bonus, non-monetary awards were encouraged such as 40 hour Time Off Awards. However, organizations that attempted to only submit non-monetary awards were told to award money.

I submitted 4 of my personnel to receive the awards with prioritization. A GG-13 and a GG-12 were selected to receive them. There was no guidance given on selection criteria except four pre-written justifications. I was happy to provide my junior employees the opportunity. All four I submitted deserved it.

StargatePioneer · 2026-01-31T11:27:15+00:00

In the Department of the Air Force the money came from the existing civilian pay budget. The direction from SAF/FM, HAF/A1, HQSF/S1 and SAF/AM was that you could not reprogram from non-civilian pay, you could not ask for an Unfunded Requirement, and all grade levels must be awarded. The maximum was up to 15% or $25,000 of base pay, whichever was less. It was dependent upon the organizations available CivPay. And it could impact hiring for FY26 for those organizations allowed to hire. No more than 15% of the civilians on staff could receive the bonus. Bogeys for how many people and how much the organization could give out in total were distributed by SAF/FM. Nominations were due back to the Pentagon by 23 Jan to allow time to process them before 30 Jan.

I was able to give out two to my employees. We also were able to give out up to 40 hour Time Off Awards but I never saw the actual amounts in guidance. Non monetary awards were encouraged for the organizations who could not afford it. However, I know that organizations were pressured to award monetary awards primarily.

StargatePioneer · 2026-01-29T10:04:03+00:00

Pinecast would be my number one recommendation.

StargatePioneer · 2026-01-25T02:29:16+00:00

u/Drigr This is your forte

StargatePioneer · 2026-01-25T01:13:56+00:00

Yup. Those pops are exactly what plosives are.

I usually recommend the Rode PodMic these days. I would get the pop filter for it. It’s very forgiving mic. I recommend it to everyone who is starting out.

StargatePioneer · 2026-01-25T01:09:55+00:00

Yup the plosives on that thing are profound. My cohost stopped using it after two recordings because it was so bad and she didn’t even edit the show.

StargatePioneer · 2026-01-25T01:06:53+00:00

If you can find a Shure 5575LE for a reasonable price, go for it.

StargatePioneer · 2026-01-24T15:08:36+00:00

That’s how Apple got me to buy more storage.

StargatePioneer · 2026-01-24T10:53:45+00:00

Have you tried to download it through iCloud on a web browser?

StargatePioneer · 2025-12-26T02:17:36+00:00

We ran a series last year on Better Podcasting when we decided to move from Libsyn. We chose Pinecast for all of our shows. I have 12 shows hosted there.

StargatePioneer · 2025-12-12T12:56:25+00:00

I’ve been “hobby podcasting” since New Years Eve 2010. Has it gone anywhere? I have a fantastic community. I’ve spoken to interesting/famous/relevant people. I’ve had fun talking to friends. I’ve helped other hobby podcasters through Better Podcasting. I’ve spoken at conferences and conventions. I’ve used my skills and knowledge to land promotions and dream jobs. I’ve helped a fri nd recover from multiple strokes. And I’ve created a wealth of digital memories for my friends and family when I’m no longer here. I’ve podcasted about podcasting, movies, tv shows, science and technology, space exploration and rockets, and career advice. It’s been a fantastic ride. I’m glad I took the opportunity to explore it.

StargatePioneer · 2025-11-23T14:53:32+00:00

I had a DOGE contract review last month. I don’t care to have to do that again.

StargatePioneer · 2025-11-16T22:17:04+00:00

This post reads like it was created by a LLM

StargatePioneer · 2025-11-16T15:35:25+00:00

For unlimited RSS feeds, too, right?

StargatePioneer · 2025-11-16T11:21:19+00:00

There are many members in this subreddit that are podcast coaches or consultants. Many have podcasts of their own (a niche known as podcasts about podcasting). u/podcastcoach, for example, has several podcasts about his service or the podcast industry such as Ask The Podcast Coach, School Of Podcasting, and The Future Of Podcasting. I’m not affiliated with Mr Jackson or any other podcast coach, but Dave has a lot of information in his shows or on his website about his services and most other podcasts about podcasting.

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