FILE – An Amazon Prime truck drives in Pacifica, Calif., on Dec. 15, 2020. Amazon has begun mass layoffs in its corporate ranks, becoming the latest tech company to trim its workforce amid rising fears about the wider economic environment. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
From Microsoft and Amazon to smaller startups and apps, mass layoffs at U.S. tech companies have now claimed more than 300,000 jobs.
Despite the cuts, new research shows there’s hope for Seattle job seekers. Experts say there’s a big need for talent, and companies are ramping up their hiring plans.
Megan Slabinski, with Seattle-based staffing firm Robert Half, said half of the company’s data shows 54% of Seattle companies plan to add new permanent roles in the next three months.
In the last seven days, Robert Half experts found over 1,000 new tech positions posted in Seattle on various online job boards such as LinkedIn and Indeed.
“Obviously big tech is a small sub-sector of the overall tech employment market, but it has been a bellwether for us here in Seattle in what we associate with the employment market as a whole,” Slabinski said.
She said the key is to look for open jobs in industries outside of the big tech giants.
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“Industries like health care, education, biotech, as well as small and medium size tech companies, are eager to grasp up any individuals that have been impacted by recent layoffs,” she said.
The firm also recommends looking outside of the market for work because of the current state of remote work.
“External companies outside of our market are seeking remote candidates,” Slabinski said. “About 86% of tech positions still have a remote aspect and companies are eager to pursue the great talent we have here in Seattle.”
If you did get laid off, Slabinski said to expand your in-person and online network right away, reach out to former colleagues and find out who’s hiring.
