Reduction in Force: Navigating Layoff Trends in Tech with Real Job Talk (1/2)

Nerd Journey: Career Advice for the Technology Professional

Are layoffs in the tech industry a trend that will continue? What can IT workers do about it? Whether you’ve been impacted by a layoff event, lost colleagues in a layoff, or have just been watching from afar…this episode is part of a focused discussion on layoffs meant to encourage and advise all of us.
This week in episode 290 we’re joined by Kat Nelson Troyer and Liz Bronson, the hosts of Real Job Talk, who bring a perspective on this topic from Human Resources, Recruitment, and Career Coaching. You’ll get to hear their take on the layoff trend with advice for those who have been impacted by a layoff and those who have lost colleagues in a layoff with some leadership advice sprinkled in along the way.
Original Recording Date: 08-13-2024
Topics – Introducing the Hosts of Real Job Talk, A Focused Discussion on Layoffs, Thoughts on Layoff Trends in Tech, Losing Colleagues, If You’ve Been Laid Off, Must Haves vs. Preferences
2:24 – Introducing the Hosts of Real Job Talk
* This week we have two guests who happen to be the co-hosts of Real Job Talk, a podcast sharing practical advice for mid-career professionals.
* Liz Bronson is an HR Leader currently in transition, looking for her next opportunity.
* Liz has spent a number of years in HR (Human Resources) and recruiting roles. Her experience spans different startups, working at VMware for around 9 years, and running her own consulting firm.
* Liz likes to focus on employee experience and making places a great place to work.
* Her most recent roles were VP of People at SupportLogic and working at ThriveCart.
* Kat Nelson Troyer is an HR Consultant, leadership coach, and career coach.
* Kat started years ago as a recruiter and worked her way through HR (Human Resources). She first met Liz 20 years ago. They worked together as part of a recruiting team and have stayed friends ever since.
* About 6 years ago, Liz and Kat started the Real Job Talk Podcast. Kat says it was Liz’s idea but a very good one.
* On Real Job Talk, Kat and Liz discuss topics like recruiting, job searching, navigating work transitions / work challenges, and have the occasional live coaching session. These topics are all to serve the mid-career professional.
4:35 – A Focused Discussion on Layoffs
* We wanted to have a focused discussion on this trend of layoffs we’re seeing in the tech industry. John and Nick have their own perspectives on the topic, but this week we want to get perspective from Kat and Liz and their collective experience.
* Our overall structure is to have a discussion about how layoffs are impacting different personas:
* Initial thoughts on the layoff trend in our industry
* Advice for those who are seeing layoffs at other companies
* Advice for those who have lost colleagues in a layoff
* Advice for people impacted by a layoff
* Advice for leaders who make decisions to do a layoff at their company
* Advice for leaders who have to execute the layoff events
6:18 – Thoughts on Layoff Trends in Tech
* Kat
* Kat is seeing layoffs more so in the tech industry but also across other industries. She is most experienced navigating layoffs in tech.
* When layoffs are deemed necessary by executive leaders at a company, it creates challenges for Human Resources and to company culture.
* How do you do this with empathy, and how do you make the decisions around who will be impacted?
* How do you navigate employee morale after a layoff event?