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.