The Lonely Office Glassdoor

Getting fired can leave you shell-shocked, speechless, and in no place to negotiate. Like' Dylan,' he just got fired over Zoom, and now his severance package consists of a career services subscription to help him "improve his resume."

'Dylan's' IRL layoff story got us thinking: are you ready for what's next? This week, we're talking about how to get fired, negotiate a fair severance package, and more.

Is job loyalty an asset or a liability? Is passion for your work overhyped? This week, inspired by the story of 'Alexandra'—a recent graduate who took a comedian's unconventional advice to heart—we explore the rocky path from graduation to the workforce. Joining us to unpack 'Alexandra's' experience is Matt Higgins, Shark Tank co-host and co-founder and CEO of RSE Ventures. Together, we discuss the importance of resilience, the role of luck, and the strategic moves young professionals can make to navigate their careers more effectively. 

Special Guest:
Matt Higgins
https://rseventures.com/team-members/matt-higgins/

Hosts:
Matt Sunbulli
https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato
https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

Leah Ova
https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova

Audio:
Ken Wendt
Jan Cruz

Editorial:
Brooks Borden
Ken Wendt
Matt Sunbulli
Aaron Calafato

Research:
Zaid Safe

Don’t trust the headlines: whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned professional, the job market feels anything but robust. And like recently-laid-off “Roland,” you find yourself receiving thoughts and prayers in lieu of offers on LinkedIn.
Glassdoor's expert on the current two-track labor market, Chief Economist Aaron Terrazas, joins the show to talk about the recession hitting white-collar workers—and how to make the most of it.

From the vault of The Lonely Office is one of our greatest hits—a horror story for the remote work era: going through endless rounds of interviews, wondering whether you’ve wasted your time. On this episode, we dive into a real 11-round-interview incident endured by one candidate named “Mike”. We’ll debate the risks and merits of a lengthy interview process, getting caught in the crosshairs of a company’s misaligned objectives, and whether it’s all a sign to get out of the corporate matrix. We’re also joined by special guest Azhar Usman, comedian and writer on the Hulu show, Ramy.

We’ve all worked with great communicators. On the one hand, they razzle and dazzle during presentations, woo the C-suite, rally the troops. On the other, they can overinflate their own achievements, and take credit where no credit was due. This week, inspired by the story of “Maria,” a flaky strategist who’s earned a reputation as a great actress at her company, we discuss the role of communication in the workplace, who it benefits, and how it might just be the key to future jobs in the age of AI.

As the unemployment rate for recent graduates climbs higher than the national average, qualified white-collar workers are turning to unlikely sources for their next job. This week, we discuss a sticky situation involving “Mark,” an Ivy League marketer, and his stint at a Canadian adult entertainment company. What are the moral implications of taking a job in a taboo industry, and how does it impact one’s career? And what exactly is responsible for the dearth of jobs?