Is it truly so difficult to find skilled USG contracts administrators in Washington, DC? The demand for this position is exceptionally high, and top-tier professionals can command significant salaries. This scenario is largely shaped by the principles of supply and demand. However, some USAID implementers post job listings merely to assess market conditions, misleading candidates into thinking they are actively recruiting. It has even become a common joke in the industry that if job offers from some firms (that I will not name but one starts with the letter D) appear, it is wise to refrain from applying, as these postings are often used to gather salary data and maintain a competitive edge in the market, frequently to the detriment of their current employees’ compensation?
If you are actively applying, how can you discern the reality of the situation? It’s rather straightforward: they invariably request your salary expectations. You may have submitted an application yet received no response, or perhaps you were provided with a list of questions to answer, only to find that you never heard back from them.