Explore every episode of the podcast Emily Talks Tech Jobs
Dive into the complete episode list for Emily Talks Tech Jobs. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
What Actually Gets You Ahead in Big Tech: Microsoft TPM Peretz Cohen Talks Personal Branding
13 Jul 2026
00:42:13
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.
Stop Job Hunting and Start Being Found | Expert Sourcer Brian Fink Spills Tech Industry Secrets
06 Jul 2026
00:36:59
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.
How The Worst Job Ever @ Google Led Her to Engineering @ Spotify Jenise Araujo Talks Intentionality
29 Jun 2026
00:35:56
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)
Getting Hired in Data with Market Data Managing Director, Alireza Dorfard | Emily Talks Tech Jobs
22 Jun 2026
00:52:20
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 matter
Why business context is a hiring advantage for data professionals
The soft skills that separate strong candidates from future leaders
What it takes to break into finance and capital markets data roles
How AI is changing data hiring
What 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
How H-1B Rules Affect Tech Workers (and Your Options) With Gabriel Espinosa | Emily Talks Tech Jobs
15 Jun 2026
00:45:07
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.
How Job Seekers Can Stand Out in the AI Era with Vrijen Attawar | Emily Talks Tech Jobs
08 Jun 2026
00:46:57
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.
Ship Proof, Tell Your Story, & Get Hired with Cory Kelly | Emily Talks Tech Jobs
01 Jun 2026
00:40:54
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 decisions
Tell a story recruiters actually want to read
Use AI without sounding generic
Bring calm confidence into every interview
If you’ve ever felt unseen or uncertain in your job search, this one’s for you.
Human-First Leadership in the Age of AI | Keith Anderson (Ex-Meta, DoorDash) | Emily Talks Tech Jobs
26 May 2026
00:46:42
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.
The Future of Work: How to Thrive in the Age of AI with Fadi Hindi | Emily Talks Tech Jobs
19 May 2026
00:50:18
How can job seekers and tech professionals stay employable in a world where AI is constantly changing everything?
In this episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I sit down with Fadi Hindi, CEO of The Consulting Lab and AI educator at NC State, to unpack what it really takes to stay ahead of the curve in today’s job market.
We explore: 💡 Why we won’t be replaced by AI if we learn how to use it ⚙️ How to build “AI literacy” even if you’re not technical 🧠 The new must-have skill for every professional ( 📈 What the next generation of tech jobs will look like, and how to prepare 🌍 How to balance human intelligence with artificial intelligence to future-proof your career
Whether you’re early in your tech career or navigating a mid-career pivot, this episode will help you understand how to use AI as a competitive advantage.
From Art to AI: Landing a Product Design Role in Tech with Billie Cavallaro | Emily Talks Tech Jobs
12 May 2026
00:34:07
In this episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I sit down with Billie Cavallaro: a designer and entrepreneur who went from a creative arts background to leading AI-first product design initiatives for a fortune 100 company.
Billie shares how he turned an unconventional path into a thriving design career, what it really takes to land in corporate as a creative, and why AI is not the end of design jobs. It’s the next frontier.
If you’re a designer, creative, or career changer wondering how to break into tech, this episode is packed with the insights, mindset shifts, and inspiration for you.
🎧 Listen and subscribe for more real stories, job search strategies, and insider advice from industry pros.
From Shark Tank to Data Analytics: How Holly Heath Reinvented Her Career in Tech | Emily Talks Tech
04 May 2026
00:26:36
In this episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I sit down with Holly Heath, an analytics consultant and data-driven leader who made a bold mid-career pivot from entrepreneurship to tech.
Holly shares how she went from co-founding Space Shake and landing on Shark Tank to building a thriving career in data analytics.
We dig into:
How to reframe 20 years of experience into a data-focused career
Why transferable skills matter more than a degree
How to overcome imposter syndrome when pivoting careers
Why it’s never too late to break into tech
The one piece of career advice you should ignore
If you’ve ever wondered how to transition into data or tech, or how to connect the dots in your own career, this episode is a must watch.
🎧 Listen and subscribe for more real stories, job search strategies, and insider advice from industry pros.
From Navy to Data: How to Pivot into Data Analytics with Kedeisha Bryan | Emily Talks Tech Jobs
30 Apr 2026
00:28:59
In this episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I sit down with Kedeisha Bryan, founder of Data in Motion, U.S. Navy veteran, and self-taught data scientist who’s helped thousands of career changers break into high paying analytics roles.
Kedeisha shares her remarkable journey—from military life and pizza delivery jobs to landing her first data analytics role to building one of the most vibrant online communities for aspiring data professionals.
We talk about:
✅ The biggest mental barriers career changers face—and how to overcome them ✅ Why storytelling and communication matter as much as perfect technical skills ✅ How to identify and leverage your transferable skills ✅ The truth about AI’s impact on data roles (and why analysts aren’t being automated out) ✅ Real strategies to stand out and land your first analytics job
If you’re thinking about a career pivot into data or tech, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you position your story and start strong.
👩💻 About Me: I’m Emily Nelson de Velasco, career coach and host of Emily Talks Tech Jobs. I help job seekers land roles they love by combining data-driven strategies with real-world tech recruiting insights.
From Google to Higher Ed: Job Search Secrets with Recruiter Will James | Emily Talks Tech Jobs
24 Apr 2026
00:42:19
In this second episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I sit down with Will James, senior talent acquisition consultant at the University of Chicago, career coach, and former recruiter for Google’s hardware engineering teams.
Will brings insider knowledge from recruiting across industries: from warehouse and manufacturing roles, to higher ed leadership, to one of the most competitive tech giants in the world.
He shares:
✅ What Google really looks for in candidates (beyond technical skills) ✅ The biggest misconceptions job seekers have about landing roles at big tech companies ✅ Why networking is like tending a garden and how to actually start building connections that pay off ✅ How to make your resume stand out with impact, not just keywords ✅ The truth about AI in recruiting (and why it’s not auto-rejecting you) ✅ A spicy hot take about why obsessing over resumes might be holding you back
If you’re a job seeker navigating today’s tough market—whether you’re aiming for big tech, higher ed, or your next career pivot—this episode is packed with practical advice you can use right now.
👩💻 About Me: I’m Emily Nelson de Velasco, a career coach and host of Emily Talks Tech Jobs. I help job seekers land roles they love by combining data-driven strategies with real-world career coaching.
Breaking Into Tech Jobs: Insider Tips from Tech Recruiter Pedro Zambrano
01 Oct 2025
00:36:26
Transitioning into a tech career isn’t easy, especially for veterans navigating a whole new world of resumes, interviews, and networking. In this first episode of Emily Talks Tech Jobs, I sit down with Pedro Zambrano, senior technical recruiter, Marine Corps veteran, and founder of the Veteran Coffee Connection, to talk about the real challenges veterans face when breaking into tech and how to overcome them.
Pedro shares:
✅ Why translating military experience into “tech language” is so tough
✅ How relationships and networking can change everything
✅ The role of AI in recruiting (and what it really means for job seekers)
✅ A hot take every job seeker needs to hear about resumes & applications If you’re a veteran, a career changer, or anyone trying to land your next role in tech, this episode is packed with insights you can use right now.
👩💻 About Me: I’m Emily Nelson de Velasco, a career coach and host of Emily Talks Tech Jobs. I help job seekers land roles they love by combining data-driven strategies with real-world career coaching.