Emily Talks Tech Jobs

Emily Nelson de Velasco
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Looking for your next role in tech? This podcast gives you the inside scoop on what’s really happening in today’s hiring process, straight from the recruiters, coaches, and industry leaders who know it best. Each week, career coach Emily Nelson de Velasco sits down with a new guest to uncover practical insights, honest truths, and strategies you can actually use. From resumes and interviews to networking and AI in hiring, you’ll learn how to build and execute a job search strategy that works. If you’re ready to cut through the noise, gain confidence, and take control of your tech career, this is your go-to guide.

  1. Jul 13

    What Actually Gets You Ahead in Big Tech: Microsoft TPM Peretz Cohen Talks Personal Branding

    Most people think landing a job at Google, Meta, or Microsoft comes down to technical skills. Peretz Cohen says that is only the starting point. After building a career across startups and some of the biggest names in tech, Peretz believes the real differentiators are personal branding, communication, and understanding the broader business context behind your work. In this episode, Peretz shares his path from software engineering into strategy, operations, and technical program management. We discuss what it's really like to work in Big Tech, how careers evolve over time, and why versatility matters more than ever in the age of AI. If you're trying to break into tech, earn a promotion, or make a career pivot, this conversation is full of practical insights. We cover: • What separates candidates who land Big Tech jobs from those who don't • Why personal branding matters • How to build visibility and influence at work • The reality of working at Google, Meta, and Microsoft • How performing at the next level is the fastest path to promotion • AI, career pivots, and his hot take on job titles About Peretz: Peretz Cohen is a Strategy & Operations professional with experience across startups and major technology companies including Google, Meta, and Microsoft. He is also the founder of Past Present Phuture, a platform dedicated to career exploration, personal branding, and professional growth. Connect with Peretz: • LinkedIn:   / peretzcohen   • Beacons: https://beacons.ai/peretzlinks Connect with Emily: • LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   • Website: https://www.emilycareerservices.com Music: "FasterFasterBrighter" by Blue Dot Sessions https://app.sessions.blue/browse/trac... License: CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

  2. Jul 6

    Stop Job Hunting and Start Being Found | Expert Sourcer Brian Fink Spills Tech Industry Secrets

    Why aren’t recruiters reaching out to you? In this episode, we break down how sourcing actually works and why most job seekers are invisible to recruiters without realizing it. I’m joined by seasoned tech sourcer & recruiter Brian Fink, who’s spent nearly two decades finding top talent at companies like Apple, Twitter, Amazon and more. We go behind the scenes of how recruiters search, what makes someone stand out, and what you need to do to become findable in today’s market. If you’ve been sending out applications and hearing nothing back, this episode will change how you approach your job search. Connect with Brian: • LinkedIn:   / brianfink   • Instagram:   / thebrianfink   • Newsletter: https://fwdmotion.substack.com/ • Website: www.thebrianfink.com • Brian's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/... If you’re job searching in tech: I help mid-level tech and data professionals stop guessing and start executing a real strategy. You'll find me here: • Land a job: https://emilycareerservices.thinkific... • LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   • My site: https://www.emilycareerservices.com

  3. Jun 29

    How The Worst Job Ever @ Google Led Her to Engineering @ Spotify Jenise Araujo Talks Intentionality

    She landed a dream job at Google. It turned into her worst job ever. So she made a bold pivot into software engineering and eventually became a Senior Software Engineer at Spotify. In this episode, Jenise Araujo breaks down the real story behind her career switch (PR → engineering), how she made intentional moves in uncertain job markets, and what she looks for in a team culture now that she interviews engineers at Spotify. If you’re pivoting into tech, dealing with imposter syndrome, or trying to choose your next role with intention, this one will hit. We cover: • Why her first job at Google was her worst experience (and what it taught her) • How she decided engineering was the path to more agency and control • Bootcamp vs. CS degree: how she chose the “safer” credibility path • How to choose your next job intentionally (even in a brutal market) • The interview questions that reveal culture fast (and major red flags) • AI tools in technical interviews: what matters and what doesn’t • Her hot take: why in-person networking is about to dominate (2026+) • How to find events and communities (Luma + TechWalks) Connect with Jenise: • LinkedIn:   / jenisearaujo   • Newsletter: https://theincomeportfolio.beehiiv.com/ If you’re job searching in tech: I help mid-level tech and data professionals stop guessing and start executing a real strategy. If you want more of this, subscribe and check out the links below. • Land a job: https://emilycareerservices.thinkific... • LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   • My site: https://www.emilycareerservices.com

  4. Jun 22

    Getting Hired in Data with Market Data Managing Director, Alireza Dorfard | Emily Talks Tech Jobs

    In this episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I sit down with Alireza Dorfard, Market Data Managing Director at Deutsche Börse Group, to break down what data professionals actually need to get hired and stay relevant as we move into 2026. Alireza brings the rare perspective of a senior hiring leader who has worked across consulting (BCG), global data organizations (Mastercard), and one of the world’s most important financial market infrastructure companies. Together, we unpack how data candidates are evaluated today beyond job descriptions and buzzwords. 💡 In this episode, we cover: The foundational data skills that still matterWhy business context is a hiring advantage for data professionalsThe soft skills that separate strong candidates from future leadersWhat it takes to break into finance and capital markets data rolesHow AI is changing data hiringWhat data professionals should focus on now to stay hireable in 2026 Whether you’re a data analyst, data scientist, data engineer, or aspiring data leader, this conversation will help you understand how hiring managers think — and how to position yourself more clearly, confidently, and authentically in today’s job market. 🎧 About Alireza Dorfard Alireza is Market Data Managing Director at Deutsche Börse Group, where he leads data strategy across complex global systems. He previously worked at BCG and led Mastercard’s Data & Services business for Germany and Switzerland. 👉 Alireza on LinkedIn:   / dr-alireza-dorfard-4005185   👉 My LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   👉 My website: https://www.emilycareerservices.com/ 👉 My free newsletter: https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv...

  5. Jun 15

    How H-1B Rules Affect Tech Workers (and Your Options) With Gabriel Espinosa | Emily Talks Tech Jobs

    In this episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I’m joined by Gabriel Espinosa Ramos, a California immigration and employment attorney who’s become a trusted voice for breaking down complicated immigration issues with clarity and compassion. With recent H-1B changes, massive layoffs across tech, and confusion about what options still exist, Gabe walks us through what job seekers really need to understand—and why so much more is possible than most people realize. ⸻ We explore: 💼 What the new H-1B fees actually mean for tech workers and employers 📉 How layoffs impact your 60-day grace period 🧭 The alternative visas most job seekers don’t know about 🧾 How self-sponsorship works and who realistically qualifies ⚠️ What to do immediately if you’re laid off on an H-1B 🥇 Why having had an H-1B already signals “extraordinary ability” in the eyes of USCIS 📱 The USCIS social-media review policy every immigrant needs to know 🚀 How some laid-off tech workers turned their skills into self-sponsored visas and even green cards Whether you’re navigating a layoff, worried about your status, or trying to understand your real immigration options, this conversation will give you a good starting point to move forward in your process. Connect with Gabe: 👉 LinkedIn:   / gespin   👉 Instagram: @espinosaramoslaw 👉 Website: https://www.espinosaramoslaw.com Connect with Emily: 👉 LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   👉 Website: https://www.emilycareerservices.com/ 👉 Free Newsletter: https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv...

  6. Jun 8

    How Job Seekers Can Stand Out in the AI Era with Vrijen Attawar | Emily Talks Tech Jobs

    Why do so many talented job seekers still struggle to get interviews, even when they’re doing everything “right”? In this episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I sit down with Vrijen Attawar, founder and CEO of CareerSpan, to discuss what’s actually happening inside today’s hiring ecosystem and what job seekers can do to navigate it more effectively. We explore: 💡 Why traditional resumes often fail to tell your real story 🧠 How self-reflection gives you a competitive advantage in your job search 🤖 Why most AI resume tools miss the mark 📉 The disconnect between hiring managers, recruiters, and candidates 🎯 The three-stage job search framework every job seeker should follow 🔍 How to uncover your unique strengths and communicate them clearly 📈 Why “career hygiene” can add thousands (or millions) to your lifetime earnings Whether you're early in your tech career or deep into a frustrating job search, this episode will give you the clarity, structure, and confidence to approach the process more intentionally and stand out for who you really are. 👉 Vrijen on LinkedIn:   / vrijenattawar   👉 CareerSpan: https://mycareerspan.com/ 👉 My LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   👉 My site: https://www.emilycareerservices.com/ 👉 My free newsletter: https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv...

  7. Jun 1

    Ship Proof, Tell Your Story, & Get Hired with Cory Kelly | Emily Talks Tech Jobs

    In this episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I sit down with Cory Kelly, The Bald Tech Coach, to explore what clarity, calmness, and storytelling can do for your tech career. Cory and I talk about how to: Create thinking spaces that lead to better decisionsTell a story recruiters actually want to readUse AI without sounding genericBring calm confidence into every interview If you’ve ever felt unseen or uncertain in your job search, this one’s for you. 👉 Cory on LinkedIn:   / corykelly1   👉 Cory's website: https://baldtechcoach.com/ 👉 My LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   👉 My site: https://www.emilycareerservices.com/ 👉 My free newsletter: https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv...

  8. May 26

    Human-First Leadership in the Age of AI | Keith Anderson (Ex-Meta, DoorDash) | Emily Talks Tech Jobs

    What if leadership wasn’t about working harder, but about leading with more humanity? In this episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I sit down with Keith Anderson, former Meta and DoorDash leader and founder of Career Alchemy Lab, to explore how AI is redefining what great leadership looks like. Keith shares his journey from teaching to tech to executive coaching and the powerful lessons he’s learned about authenticity, communication, and leading in a rapidly changing world. 💬 In this episode, we discuss: • Why “working harder” doesn’t guarantee promotions • The biggest mindset shifts tech leaders need in the AI era • How language can make or break your leadership presence • Why authentic connection is the new competitive edge • What leadership will look like by 2030 🎧 About Keith Anderson Keith is an ex-Meta and DoorDash leader who’s hired over 100 people and now helps tech professionals land next-level leadership roles. He’s the author of 30-Day Career Reboot and the founder of Career Alchemy Lab, where he teaches leaders to blend empathy and AI for stronger results. 👉 Keith on LinkedIn:   / keithand   👉 Keith's Website: https://www.skool.com/undeniableleade... 👉 My LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   👉 My site: https://www.emilycareerservices.com/ 👉 My free newsletter: https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv...

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About

Looking for your next role in tech? This podcast gives you the inside scoop on what’s really happening in today’s hiring process, straight from the recruiters, coaches, and industry leaders who know it best. Each week, career coach Emily Nelson de Velasco sits down with a new guest to uncover practical insights, honest truths, and strategies you can actually use. From resumes and interviews to networking and AI in hiring, you’ll learn how to build and execute a job search strategy that works. If you’re ready to cut through the noise, gain confidence, and take control of your tech career, this is your go-to guide.

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Nelson de Velasco
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Emily Nelson de Velasco