Chasing a Data Scientist across the Country: Knockout Newsletter 12/20 ☃️🥊 Holiday Edition
by The Final Round
Welcome back to the Knockout Newsletter, brought to you by The Final Round. Every other Tuesday, we send you insight to help you knock out the competition, advance past the final round interview, and grow in your career.
We are so close to hitting 10,000 subscribers on our YouTube Channel, a goal we hope to hit by the end of the year. Be sure to subscribe if you haven’t to enjoy content just like this awesome new video, which we discuss below!
Thank you for joining us in the ring. Let’s go.
- Bryan Hanley and AJ Eckstein
Making Use of Your Time Off
A lot of schools, and firms for that matter, shut down between Christmas and New Year’s. While it’s certainly the perfect time to catch up with family and friends, take some time off, and shift focus away from school/work, here are some steps you can take during your vacation to ensure you’re ready to go as we head into the new year:
1. Start a Non-Work Related Project
Ever wanted to map out a new venture idea, gain a new technical skill, or make travel plans? With work winding down, set aside some time for that idea you’ve always had, or that goal you’ve had in mind but never had the time to get to. Push the excuses aside and have fun with it.
2. Reach Out to LinkedIn Connections
…but not to ask for a referral. It’s always a kind gesture to reach out to your connections to wish them a happy holiday season. It’s a great way to let them know you appreciate their relationship. But remember, it’s their time off as well, so try to save the career-related questions for next year.
3. Assess Yourself
The holiday season should not only be a time to relax, but also a time to reflect on how the year went. Did you achieve your goals? How did you feel about work? Taking some time to assess yourself and your year will help you list out some goals for 2023—something you should definitely consider doing, too.
4. Make Time for Friends and Family
Remember, as good as it is to stay on top of your work life, holiday break is meant to be just that—a break! So be sure to make time for family and friends, and use the time to cool down. You’ve likely been working very hard, and taking some time off will help you recharge and prevent burnout.
Chasing the Data Scientist across the Country
After the first interview went viral (2.5 million views), AJ traveled over 2,600 miles to ask your burning questions to the most famous Data Scientist in the world. They discuss the long hours and high pay in Data Science, how to break into the industry, what the heck Data Science even is, and expert career tips for all industries to help you advance past The Final Round and level up your career.
Watch the full video here
Knockout Quote
In Episode 8 of The Final Round Podcast, Career Coach and former Meta Recruiter Niki Woodall discusses the importance of focusing on what you can control, and what it takes to become a top-performing candidate.
Watch the full episode here
Business Buzz 🐝
Layoffs - A Year in Review
Truth be told, layoffs were more than common this year. From startups to tech giants, thousands of employees across the globe were given the news no one ever wants to hear—and December was no different. Here’s a quick summary of some of the major layoffs this month.
🏦 Goldman Sachs: 400 employees have already been let go, with plans to cut as many as 4,000 total employees next year.
☁️ Airtable: over 250 employees were laid off this December, with a few executives leaving the firm as well.
📰 Buzzfeed: 180 employees, or roughly 12% of its staff, will get laid off as a result of poor economic conditions.
📱 Gannett: the parent company of USA Today recently announced plans to cut 6% of its 3,400-person media team, having just recently laid off 400 employees in August.
🍔 Blue Apron: the meal-prep service plans to cut 10% of its workforce in order to reduce expenses, following a share price drop of over 40% in the past year.
💻 Adobe: 100 sales employees have been let go from the software giant amidst macroeconomic concerns.
What this Means
Layoffs were a sad reality for many this year, with some companies insisting layoffs will continue into next year. However, as you reflect on the year you’ve had, whether you’ve been impacted or not by these layoffs, consider focusing on what you can control: growing your network, your professional image, your skillsets, and your experiences. By focusing on what you can control, you put yourself in a better position to be ready for whatever challenge comes your way.
For some tips on how to do just that, visit all of our resources here.
The Final Question
What are you up to his holiday season? How are you getting ahead, while still finding time for family and friends? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
From all of us here at The Final Round, have a great holiday season! ❄️️🎁
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Written by Bryan Hanley; Edited by AJ Eckstein