Chasing a Data Scientist across the Country: Knockout Newsletter 12/20 ???? Holiday Edition

Chasing a Data Scientist across the Country: Knockout Newsletter 12/20 ???? Holiday Edition

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, as we have some really interesting content?coming soon!

Thanks for joining us in the ring. Let's go!

-AJ Eckstein?and?Bryan Hanley

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)