Going the Extra Mile, Layoffs and Leaves, and the Role of DEI in Tech - Knockout Newsletterđ„11/22
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.
Thank you for joining us in the ring. Letâs go.
Whatâs New?
ThriveDX Tech Summit
AJ was invited to speak at the ThriveDX Tech Summit, a virtual gathering of industry leaders focused on creating more diversity and equity in technology. This event brought business leaders together to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion, the best ways to break into tech, how to navigate a career in the tech industry, and the role of digital transformation in addressing cyber risk.
Be sure to give it a watch by clicking here
Using What Youâve Learned
As we discussed in the last edition, we have finally finished Season One. This means 32 Episodes of content essential to helping you grow your professional career, network like a pro, and advance past The Final Round interview.
Thereâs certainly a lot to learn from all this content. However, itâs not just what you learn, but how you use it throughout your own career. So whatâre the best ways to take all of this knowledge and put it to good use?
Re-watch Episodes - Is there an episode that resonated with you? When you listen to something a second time, you find pointers you may have missed or details that could be more important than previously anticipated. Particularly within a firm or recruiter of great interest, doing so could elevate the value an episode brings you.
Take Notes - Taking notes when watching something isnât always the most interesting thing in the world. However, if you hear something that really lights a spark, or something you find very helpful, remember to write it down! You could also jot down the episode number and time of a certain quote and go back to it when you feel you need it most!
Practice the Methods - Whether you do it with a career advisor at school, a friend or family member, or even by yourself, practicing the techniques discussed by the recruiters as you prepare for your interviews is key to acing your interviews. Practice doesnât always make perfect, but itâll at least get you close.
Follow the Recruiters on LinkedIn - the people weâve interviewed arenât just recruiters. Many of them are content creators, professors, or even authors. The content they post to LinkedIn, just like the podcast, is intended to help you. Be sure to take advantage, and follow the recruiters who you enjoyed hearing from the most.
Highlight Quote - Episode 7
In Episode 7 of The Final Round podcast, Amanda Porter discusses the importance of taking the extra step when it comes to interviewing preparation. When it comes down to you and one or a few other candidates, the little things begin to matter: going the extra mile will give you the confidence and mindset necessary to ace that Final Round interview.
To watch the full episode, click here
Business Buzz đ
Amazonâs Cutbacks
Itâs not just a pause this time. Amazon recently cut as many as 10,000 workers this week, with an emphasis on the tech and corporate divisions. CEO Andy Jassy said that this wonât be the last of the companyâs layoffs since cuts will continue into next year. This lies consistent with his focus on cutbacks, which included the closing of Amazonâs telehealth services, the closing of all but a single U.S. call center, and calls to end their robot delivery service. A gloomy economy has clearly taken its toll.
Sharp Tusk-Musk
Elon Muskâs turnaround of Twitter, and the antics that come with it, continue. Via a Google Form question, employees were asked to check âyesâ to âlong hours at high intensity.â Simply put, many arenât on board - not including 50% of the company already laid off. In response, Musk seemed to reverse some of his previous comments regarding remote work; however, he still did say managers would be fired if their remote team members performed inadequately.
Salesforce Follows Suit
Welcome to the party (or nightmare), Salesforce. Earlier this week, Salesforce confirmed the layoff of hundreds of employees. Despite second-quarter revenue growth of 22% year to year, inflation has emphasized the need for cost reduction. Furthermore, hedge fund Starboard Value, which has a stake in Salesforce, recently called for higher margins. While not directly calling for layoffs, layoffs can certainly contribute to greater margins at least in the short term.
Overall (Very) Low Jobless Claims
While the tech industry certainly took a hit, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, jobless claims fell again this week. Nearing historic lows, jobless claims hit 222,000 last week, with the unemployment rate sitting at 3.7%. While job growth and low unemployment rates slightly contribute to a rising inflation rate, these metrics demonstrate more Americans are finding work. The tech industry certainly doesnât tell the full tale.
What It Means
Tech layoffs continue, but this doesnât mean all industries are suffering. The need for jobs in many other industries is ever-present, and theyâre looking to hire top talent. Donât be afraid to explore different industries. Weâve become stationed to believe that one role (or one firm) is whatâs best for us. Oftentimes these perceptions are predetermined. Expand your vision - who knows, it could be the best move you ever make.
The Final Question
How are you going the extra mile to prepare for interviews? What steps are you taking to make the most of The Final Round content? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
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Written by Bryan Hanley; Edited by AJ Eckstein