What are GovCon hiring managers really looking for in proposal and capture talent right now, and how is AI changing who gets hired, promoted, or passed over?

In this episode of The Stargazy Brief, Christina Carter talks with Al Vega, a US federal GovCon recruiter, about what’s happening in the proposal/capture job market in 2026. This is a tactical conversation for proposal professionals who feel underpaid or underleveled, want to move into better-paying roles (including DoD), or want to avoid common LinkedIn and resume mistakes that quietly disqualify strong candidates.

You’ll hear what skills are standing out, how strict GovCon requirements shape hiring decisions, why clearances and certifications can move salary, and how to use AI as an advantage without letting it “interview for you.”

In this episode, we cover:

• The top skills hiring managers want in capture + proposal roles

• How AI is affecting GovCon hiring and interview trust

• The #1 LinkedIn mistake that turns recruiters off

• When it’s still worth applying if you don’t meet every requirement

• How to move from civilian agencies into DoD roles (and what tradeoffs to expect)

• Clearances, certifications, and other salary levers

• Smart questions candidates should ask to avoid bad-fit roles

• How proposal writers can future-proof their careers as AI adoption grows

  
  

  🌟 FIND STARGAZY 🌟✸ Website (shortlist tools + vendor profiles): https://stargazy.io/✸ Community to join the conversation: ✸ Newsletter: https://the-stargazy-brief.beehiiv.com/✸ LinkedIn: / stargazyproposals 🌙 GUEST LINKS 🌙✸ Al Vega on LinkedIn: / vegarecruits