The anxiety among federal workers during a Howard County job fair in February was palpable, said Jennifer Jones, the CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority.

It’s the uncertainty of it all — some agencies are challenging the layoffs, so they could be called back, she said. Others are still waiting to see if their departments will be affected.

The best way to mitigate some of this anxiety is to ask for help, she said.

More than 320,000 employees of the federal government live in Maryland. Many of them are scrambling as President Donald Trump’s efforts to downsize federal government have led to mass layoffs and job cuts. County and state officials are coming to their aid, hosting career fairs, offering workshops and interview coaches, as well as expediting applications to federal workers.

On Feb. 14, Gov. Wes Moore’s office published a list of resources for federal workers who reside in Maryland, including a list of resources, ways to get financial assistance and support for job hunting.

We will add resources as they become available, so check back for updates. But first, here’s the guidance Jones is offering to workers as they transition to the private sector.

Ask for help

The first thing she encourages workers to do is to attend a workforce development fair in their county, which usually offer free headshots and counseling.

“When you’re in a situation where you can ask people for help, I think it’s so much easier for you to kind of move forward,” she said.

Then, she said, make sure to attend resume writing workshops to ease the transition from the federal government to the private sector. The workshops are usually free or low cost.

“It’s just a different, a whole different animal,” Jones said. “The way you communicate and present yourself is different in the private sector.”

Jones said to follow up with companies after applying for jobs, and ask them about their hiring process — and then follow up with workforce organizations in the counties.

“Make sure that you’re connected with us,” she said.

Baltimore County

The county created a website for workers affected by the mass layoffs and government changes, which includes a job board for openings with the county government, local and state agencies, nonprofits, and colleges and universities.

The county’s three career centers host career fairs and trainings, and offer interview coaches, career consultation and support services.

According to its government’s website, more than 13,000 federal civilian jobs are located in Baltimore county.

Anne Arundel County

County officials and the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation are holding a “transition hiring event” for former federal workers and contractors on March 20 at the O’Malley Senior Center.

The organization also has a featured jobs list and offers career coaching, workshops and learning courses.

Thousands of federal employees and contractors live in Anne Arundel county, according to County Executive Steuart Pittman.

The county’s Office of Personnel is expediting employment application for federal workers, according to its website.

Howard County

The county government and the Howard County Economic Development Authority are hosting an event on March 26 to “empower federal workers with the tools and resources needed to start their own business.” The Business Resource Expo is at the Maryland Innovation Center in Columbia.

The economic development authority runs a growth accelerator program for new and seasoned business owners, with a new cohort beginning later this month. The organization also offers funds for existing start-ups.

Former federal workers can also reach out to the county government for assistance through the email address hocohelp@howardcountymd.gov.

The county government will host a Federal Workers’ Career Fair on April 8. They hosted a job fair in February, where workers took part in mock interviews, connected with companies and updated their resumes.

Montgomery County

The Montgomery County government has also published a digital hub including information on unemployment benefits and local resources for contractors and federal workers.