Market

Job Numbers Up in April but Market is Still Down

  • On May 11, 2025
The US economy is up 177,000 jobs as of April, but employers are not bullish, the WSJ reports. In fact, “[m]ajor U.S. employers are slowing or pausing hiring to cut costs amid economic uncertainty… Companies are wary of layoffs, but are more cautious about bringing in new workers.” What’s giving companies concern? “Stop-start” trade wars […]
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Market, Uncategorized

Pendulum Swinging Back Towards In-Office

  • On May 5, 2025
While the pendulum is swinging away from remote work and back towards in-office, the Bay Area still “lags significantly behind” almost all other major metro regions. The national average is 32.2% fewer office visits in March 2025 compared to March 2019, pre-pandemic, but San Francisco is tied in last place with Chicago at 44.6%. On […]
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Market

What’s Going on with the Market?

  • On April 13, 2025
As a recruiter I’m often asked what I’m seeing. What I am seeing is not good. I appreciated this Bay Area news summary of ongoing tech layoffs where “nobody is safe.”  While better than last year, times are still tough. Meta is closing three offices in Fremont, and Block (formerly Square) is laying off 240 […]
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Compensation, Market

What’s Going on with Startup Comp?

  • On March 30, 2025
Carta just reported on the state of startup compensation! The good news: Average salaries and equity grants rose slightly. Layoffs are at the lowest point in 3 years. These industries grew headcount: energy, hw, med device. Ready for the bad news? Startups “haven’t been this reluctant to hire in at least 5 years.” Net headcount […]
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Career Management, Career Tips, Market

2025 Recruiting Take-Aways

  • On January 19, 2025
I spoke on AABA’s recent career panel addressing the Bay Area in-house market with talent acquisition experts Angela Cheung (ex Uber) and Herman Gee (Exelixis). Here are 5 takeaways: Pay for top in-house lawyers has generally been trending up, despite recent layoffs. This is in line with Levels.fyi’s report on tech/engineering comp. Compensation is made […]
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Market

Jobs Taking Longer to Land

  • On January 12, 2025
No, it’s not your imagination. WSJ reported this week that white collar jobs, including legal jobs, are taking longer to land.   What’s going on now with the economy? It’s complicated. Over 2 million jobs have been added to the US economy over the last year, but “more people who are out of work are having a hard […]
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Market

Crackdown on Minor Infractions (Stealth Layoff?)

  • On November 24, 2024
A little horror story for you all: companies are now cracking down on minor infractions, possibly as a stealth layoff per WSJ. Here are the sins employees committed recently leading to their termination: –    Meta employees used $25 meal allowances on household items instead of restaurant meals. –    E&Y employees watched multiple training […]
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Change, Market

2024-25 Economic Trends Affecting the Job Market

  • On November 17, 2024
I am often asked what I’m seeing. The short answer: the job market is better than last year and seems to be improving. I’m testing the market and consuming reports for you. Analysis from this past week: Highlights from the LinkedIn newsletter The Work Shift (“Keeping you informed about the economy, labor market and evolving […]
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