The 2023 Big Tech Layoffs: Advice for Job Seekers and Skilled Professionals (Insights from Former Google Employees!)

This year has already witnessed a record-breaking wave of layoffs sweeping across the tech industry. The news can be unsettling even for those not directly affected. Consider that millions of small and medium-sized businesses depend on tech behemoths such as Google and Microsoft for their digital advertising needs.

big tech layoffs jun 2022 - jan 2023 Image source Last month, we offered perspectives on the implications of the Big Tech Layoffs for Small Businesses and PPC. While contributing to this discussion, I observed that despite differing views on the layoffs’ impact, experts largely concurred on a crucial point: This surge of skilled professionals exiting Google and Microsoft could present a golden opportunity for companies astute enough to onboard them. In light of this, we aim to provide a different angle in this expert roundup. We’ve interviewed several recently laid-off professionals from Google and Microsoft, each an expert in their respective domains. Our objective was to gather their insights to help hiring managers identify, attract, and recruit talent from these tech giants in 2023. Here’s a look at the experts we spoke to:

Advantages of hiring from Big Tech

Big Tech is renowned for its rigorous and demanding interview and selection procedures, boasting vast pools of applicants for virtually every position. Brendan points out, “Google seeks the best and brightest, and once hired, provides them with resources for continuous professional growth. Google alumni can be invaluable assets to most companies.” These tech giants are enormous entities with intricate and specialized products utilized by millions of businesses and partners worldwide.

microsoft partners Just a few of Microsoft’s many partners. Parimala highlights that Microsoft requires its employees to “grasp the business and deliver value by bridging the gaps between people, processes, and technology.” Despite their corporate scale, many teams within Google and Microsoft operate like startups within publicly traded global conglomerates. This unique environment equips their alumni with the adaptability of smaller teams and the experience of navigating a large organization. Interestingly, Microsoft Advertising teams are accustomed to fiercely competing against their counterparts at Google. Freddy shares, “Collaborating with Microsoft Advertising teams was always exhilarating. Every day felt like we were the underdogs striving to disrupt the industry. It was a constant uphill battle, but achieving victory alongside our partners made it worthwhile."

Locating recently laid-off Google talent

It’s simpler than you might think. Your LinkedIn feed is probably already populated with numerous talented individuals seeking new opportunities. Andrea suggests some avenues to find recently laid-off Google talent:

  • https://xoogler.co/ – A platform created by Google alumni and current employees to share job openings, network, and offer support.
  • Xoogler Career Network – A LinkedIn group with over 1,700 former Googlers impacted by the recent layoffs.
  • Social media posts from recently laid-off Google talent using the hashtags #GoogleLayoffs and #Golden12k

xoogler.co homepage

Resources for finding and hiring top talent

Successfully attracting and retaining the right employees for your agency involves various aspects, from job postings and onboarding to employer branding. Here are some valuable resources:

Advice for job seekers reentering the market

Remember, you’re not alone in this unforeseen transition. Andrea encourages her peers, “Maintain a positive outlook! Reach out to your network, even those you haven’t connected with recently. People genuinely want to help, particularly if you’ve positively impacted them in the past. However, prepare beforehand. Engage in conversations with thoughtful questions and be an attentive listener!"

networking follow up email example Need help crafting that networking email? We’ve got you covered with templates! Brendan echoes this sentiment, adding, “Utilize this time for personal and professional growth. Take some time for yourself if financially feasible, and then actively begin your job search when ready."

Resources for landing your ideal job

Here are some articles that can help you build your personal brand and impress potential employers:

Hiring? Expert spotlight🔦

The experts who generously shared their insights and advice for this article have extensive experience working with numerous advertisers, partners, and peers during their time at Google and Microsoft. They are currently seeking new opportunities and would be invaluable assets to any company fortunate enough to have them. On a personal note, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with several of these former Google and Microsoft professionals, and I highly recommend them.

Brendan Jacobson

Former Senior Strategic Partner Development Manager at Google

brendan jacobson

Background: Brendan boasts over 20 years of experience in sales, business development, and partnerships, with the last 11+ years dedicated to Google. His most recent role involved supporting 3P partners within Google’s Channel Partner team. Brendan’s contributions were instrumental in Google’s efforts to onboard and empower new advertisers on its platforms. A project you were proud to be part of: I recently spearheaded a product integration with BigCommerce that enabled its merchants to benefit from direct API integrations with Google Merchant Center and Google Ads. This integration streamlines the process of syncing product catalogs with Google, making products more discoverable through Free Listings and Ads. What I’m looking for in my next role: I thrive in strategic partnerships and sales roles that allow me to collaborate with external partners and lead cross-functional internal teams. While particularly interested in health tech and AI, I am open to exploring other areas as well. Where to find me: You can reach me at Brendan Jacobson on LinkedIn.

Andrea St. Pierre

Former Head of Industry at Google

andrea st. pierre

Background: Most recently, Andrea served as Head of Industry at Google within the ad sales division. She led a team of account executives and managers, supporting numerous large customer sales clients. In this role and her previous position at Amazon, Andrea spent over seven years cultivating client partnerships and working in Digital Advertising. Her career prior to this focused on marketing and business analytics/insights. A project you were proud to be part of: During my first five months, I successfully integrated a relatively new sales team (three out of five members were new to Google or its Ads Business). What I’m looking for in my next role: A leadership position that allows me to further my career growth while leveraging my key skills: relationship building, thoughtful leadership, coaching, data-driven decision-making, and strategic planning. I am open to positions within ad sales, related fields, and even entirely new domains. Where to find me: Feel free to connect with me at Andrea St. Pierre on LinkedIn.

Amanda Golden

Former News Communication Manager at Google

amanda golden

Background: Amanda is a seasoned journalist with experience as an on-air political reporter and producer. She joined Google to spearhead communications and media strategy for the Google News Initiative. A project you were proud to be part of: I contributed to the launch of the News Equity Fund, an initiative that provides resources to news organizations focusing on journalism from underrepresented communities. What I’m looking for in my next role: I am seeking impactful work that supports the news industry. Where to find me: You can reach me at Amanda Golden on LinkedIn and follow her on Twitter.

Freddy Martinez

Former Director of Partner Development at Microsoft

freddy martinez

Background: Freddy is a seasoned tech professional with over 13 years of experience, including five years in concurrent academic roles. He holds a master’s degree in business analytics and has seven years of experience in people management within the ad tech industry. In his most recent role at Microsoft, Freddy established a new pod from scratch, navigating limited resources and a lack of inbound leads. Alongside acquisition, he was responsible for end-to-end customer success, supported by his exceptional team. A project you were proud to be part of: I take pride in establishing and growing the pod that started with no revenue and limited resources to generating over $25 million annually by the time I left. Where to find me: You can reach me at Freddy Martinez on LinkedIn.

Parimala Ramdas

Former Senior Partner Technology Specialist at Microsoft

parimala ramdas

Background: Parimala served as a technology strategist, empowering global partners to develop custom client solutions and drive revenue growth. A project you were proud to be part of: I played a key role in the adoption of Microsoft Viva as the Global Partner, pioneering the creation of a unique solution. What I’m looking for in my next role: My goal is to leverage technology to address business challenges and drive revenue growth. Where to find me: Feel free to connect with me at Parimala Ramda on LinkedIn.

Don’t miss out on the talent wave!

The Big Tech Layoffs of 2023 present a wealth of opportunities for both agencies and individuals. While these tech giants are vast, they are composed of smaller communities and niches built on human connections. By staying true to your core values, you can navigate this landscape successfully.

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