With the U.S. government shutdown now in its second week, tech startups are now targeting furloughed federal workers for freelance hire through a new online job board, cleverly named Unfurlough.us.
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Tech companies post freelancing gigs, and those seeking work can post their résumés and what type of work they're seeking.
The website, created by startup incubator 1776, started off as a simple Google Doc. Within 24 hours, the Google Doc helped forge several connections between furloughed workers and startups for freelance work including photography, programming and industry research analysis.
"There is a large and vibrant startup ecosystem in D.C. that they could be working in and contributing to rather than toiling away in government roles," 1776 cofounder Donna Harris told Mashable via email. "Ironically, the shutdown is giving them time to explore it."
The Google Doc project quickly morphed into Unfurlough.us, an open-sourced project now available to companies beyond those at 1776. The domain name was registered on Oct. 3, and although it's aimed at tech startups and federal employees, other types of companies and job seekers can also join. There are currently about 40 listings for each category — "Gigs" and "Freelancers."
"This is what make entrepreneurs different from other people –- where there is a problem, entrepreneurs always see opportunity," Harris said.
Josh Hurd, founder of the analytics startup NonprofitMetrics, said he used Unfurlough.us to hire a freelance blogger who is a furloughed federal employee who works for the National Academy of Sciences. The blogger earns at least $35 per post; higher-performing posts fetch more money.
"[The blogger] proactively contacted me based on my listing that I had put up," Hurd told Mashable. "He's currently using NonprofitMetrics information and tools to developing blog posts that highlight trends within the nonprofit sector."
Flat World Knowledge, a personalized digital textbook company, is another startup that has made use of the site, using it to set up interviews with four potential developers.Vice President of marketing Omid Jahanbin said the company has already conducted two interviews.
"The most interesting work they'll be doing is helping our business intelligence and analytics efforts run more smoothly through the use of big data analysis," he said.
Jahanbin said Flat World plans to hire one of the two interviewees, but the other is not a good fit because he or she is only looking for temporary work during the furlough. Any of these four candidates who are hired will receive "competitive" salaries and "excellent benefits," according to Jahanbin.
There's a note on Unfurlough.us warning potential job seekers to check their agency's "ethics guidance" to make sure they are allowed to engage in outside work during the furlough.
The D.C. area is one of the top 10 metropolitan areas with the highest density of tech startups, according to a report published last month. Harris said she thinks the site could gain momentum if the shutdown goes on for an extended period of time. Through a partnership with General Assembly, 1776 plans to offer free training to furloughed workers.
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
BONUS: 15 Captivating Photos of the Government Shutdown
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