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

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   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWI4empWZlJrOUF3cFdaejkxY05mcTdzbEg5UXxBQ3Jtc0tuOHhraDRLdEJqWjVuLW5ENzJTUERLLUhSZU0zVlQ5UmJYTml5Ty1mUFJSNnBaeXY2S0ExNTZyUW9IWURyazlEbDczbXFGcVlSLXJCeFcyYTFMQlRJbmRtMnNicFJzWEF3S09oMDd1YXhGcV9JaExVaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fjenisearaujo%2F&v=L__Gq3GtBIc] • Newsletter: https://theincomeportfolio.beehiiv.com/ [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 [https://emilycareerservices.thinkific]... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDhQSTl0LXFMd1NlT2JxZVpKLUEzUmQ5Zzh0UXxBQ3Jtc0tsZzhpN1R4eW96blVtYllfY2lTSUlaMi14czNubWtCYjI5UWgtSEItTVpjMU9HMUg0T1dZMTE5MjBHdExkZ3BHcExxRTYzdzhvWUhYbVA1RkZGLWdvOVJTTVhoWThlYVhxXzV5dGQySUFZeWlWeHpKUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Femilycareerservices.thinkific.com%2Fproducts%2Fcourses%2Fbuilt-to-hire&v=L__Gq3GtBIc] • LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGlBeEEtV19hQzc0cFlYMXN3dlVpcFBzT3lHUXxBQ3Jtc0trN0V1NHg0QWRVR2EtckpSYkJ2V0ExQTlhV0VUSnVmQ29sTlpqVHY0N0JNUHQ4RzRRNnBCa1Q3ZDZIMUFIMHM1bnRxR2Z3V3ZsRG9BcEJIQnN1NjIweVQ3YmR1VjR4REdGTDhOQmVSVEtkcjZWVEdDOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Femily-ndv&v=L__Gq3GtBIc] • My site: https://www.emilycareerservices.com [https://www.emilycareerservices.com]

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 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   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEVKT0lGTW5pbUc1ZU9XNEc1Z25kZXhPT1JSd3xBQ3Jtc0tsdTh1MkpxQ2cwOHZQejh6T0NyeW5MeDRaMlNKWUFFZGRUcDZpSjdZWEFyWWhxR1doRzhUSmxJUjZ0UWxndS1venFYbmdLd0p0NlRoRFRrTTc5bUFMYjNndl85WFdaUVBEYVZTVkRFS0pxZE1ZN2FqUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fdr-alireza-dorfard-4005185%2F&v=mI8xDtayPjw] 👉 My LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazlVNEROLWRscTBacUxwZFJ1T1J2ZmVaSVdJd3xBQ3Jtc0tsZ3Z2SUcxSHZKSk9ZcTFGYWU0alZGSDM5ZWtFdi1tcVNPa1FYSFZTMnBfVF9VS1Etanl2RWFyUU8tVlZDUTlseXZIOGlzRE1nODBBdnZQVUxuZHVNQWpZSjM1c3JaUmdoOHpua2VEQV9ueFduZlhpTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Femily-ndv%2F&v=mI8xDtayPjw] 👉 My website: https://www.emilycareerservices.com/ [https://www.emilycareerservices.com/] 👉 My free newsletter: https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv [https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv]... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa21DSTRVWTB0YTZuUS1UMk13WFk3MG1NVnZ4d3xBQ3Jtc0tsN0FCRTlMay1KQ3RUNndxQUdrYkdOY1VQMTBWWkpOTkVLVTRBbXI5MTIzNFJFSUpnMGR5SkphT085T1lOWnppci1henNUMUpPX19BT1N4VDJMOG1YNmg4amxUVGxHd2hfYy1iV1o5V0l5ZFdRYWR0QQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Femily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv.com%2F&v=mI8xDtayPjw]

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   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZxaXFFc1ZQVXRVd1BGbzhGa1p0dV96aHlaQXxBQ3Jtc0ttQ29tLTdqQ2FwZ1hEU0lsSUJGeW93SHdoVG1NSTZQdF9zRldUNmNWMGxJaTFjMFhhSFRjQlNfRThKaG9BdGhTMExYMEd3Q29VeEs5WnpGSFpKSHZ0UlJxUVI1R0hyeHJUUzlsYkoycmNfNWtfZmFmbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fgespin%2F&v=6-yWev1ILrY] 👉 Instagram: @espinosaramoslaw 👉 Website: https://www.espinosaramoslaw.com [https://www.espinosaramoslaw.com] Connect with Emily: 👉 LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmtlYkR3NHNVYlp1NEx6X0V6ZnFQTFVELXV1d3xBQ3Jtc0trWUJpcGtsMGdiaTJuSXQ2UnV4WVFXS3RjZDJlSTQ2RGVGbmMwRTBoYmhaWTFkV0JDaGlQZ1diNzlpUDRCR1FCT0g1RWM4dDlteHNBX2hhWmZJNGJYcml2SVM2YWtQSmU0MjhZN0hxYXh0ZHpWQmhMVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Femily-ndv%2F&v=6-yWev1ILrY] 👉 Website: https://www.emilycareerservices.com/ [https://www.emilycareerservices.com/] 👉 Free Newsletter: https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv [https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv]... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2FkUWRoTk01RnBxZFJLdkpfU0g3SXhtcEFvZ3xBQ3Jtc0tubndaaWFzRDNpOTFQdGpEWHJJQVVSSnNrcDYwTzZUeUJNV0VvVml0Q1hnVzlzd1RPX042NHpTb05OaGNmNHJjUHpnejVETkNCQ0loQXRQaFJldkJSUGlwU0l0cFFvYWVMU0lZaEFtSWlyX3lkMHhUTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Femily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv.com%2F&v=6-yWev1ILrY]

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   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0xfREVyX2NXSkVScFlyQ2o0XzNMdnNodEtPd3xBQ3Jtc0trTi1IeWU5b0ZNX2h0Q1RYZEtKTGJBNUdtVU9TU0JBX245T1lVbUJiYktjUU56QWY4VE1DWUhXcTZpNFFoWTl1anQtWG9QYVptTEFwbi1hLU5CT1hkSFRmeTdSZmJ1bUpkbFJ6bVpkOXVyNUpEdFdyaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fvrijenattawar%2F&v=uKzTDGcT9M4] 👉 CareerSpan: https://mycareerspan.com/ [https://mycareerspan.com/] 👉 My LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1MtSi1DT2FPd3otaUk0eXBZQXE0aFkzRHJtd3xBQ3Jtc0tsLVFLM0ZnZzV1d3F3bWlmUEdDTFltSzctT2hkWmR4MnRwZmRXeTdCcDVHdXI4TENmSnNDR0U5dF9rNWFseUtwbEV0dHNlckhzLXJVS18wWVhyMURtRnotbmZ0N1dEaENjVWlKbV8wTmtYQ2lfQUU4bw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Femily-ndv%2F&v=uKzTDGcT9M4] 👉 My site: https://www.emilycareerservices.com/ [https://www.emilycareerservices.com/] 👉 My free newsletter: https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv [https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv]... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmF6UmxWZFZBOGRBQ3dsbS1sSkF2RmxVeldHQXxBQ3Jtc0tuSjRqMHFaa3BaUnFweDNmeDI2Z05UUGc5OUxNZUwzV2w3c201emhES25sanZqVlRmdkJ3MDZ1bmlGX0FNcmVkaGYtQlktQWNmWWFKN0RJUTNzM2JtTmRzVVhUTUVkOXQ2TnpYUDVnZ2NRUUtIUm1oSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Femily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv.com%2F&v=uKzTDGcT9M4]

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 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. 👉 Cory on LinkedIn:   / corykelly1   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEtWU0Fjd0NyV3ptUTZVNlVWSHlQS0lVcWR5UXxBQ3Jtc0ttOEQ1ZlNxcUNDYWp4STlvVW5WdE9MbHo4NjhTMlVTbk1TdHBzS1JqUGd3bTlNaWtVR2tWRlpBbnVMdFBXb01qLXFJb1lCNzUybUxtYkJXMFFNb3lOREZJTFlxVVozNGpNZWZ5cnU2eFhQdFhBd0VTTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fcorykelly1%2F&v=qE9ZKj2phNs] 👉 Cory's website: https://baldtechcoach.com/ [https://baldtechcoach.com/] 👉 My LinkedIn:   / emily-ndv   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3ZaUDBDb1RWMjZKSU5RTngyeG9VQVFNQ3A1UXxBQ3Jtc0tuQ2x2cThTZFJNU09jdFE1VXFPUFdITTA1Q0NvYnNEblJMSGRLclNhWXhyOGhTRmtldnVpZTBGcUtHaWdUZXlMS0hrbzRYVTY3LWlfLVNCZVhoV1VEWkxHdi0zOTFLN1AwV256VWhmOHNFSFRPM2Z0RQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Femily-ndv%2F&v=qE9ZKj2phNs] 👉 My site: https://www.emilycareerservices.com/ [https://www.emilycareerservices.com/] 👉 My free newsletter: https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv [https://emily-talks-tech-jobs.beehiiv]...