Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

Today we’re joined by two data scientists who have firsthand experience with layoffs. We’ll talk about how to negotiate severance packages, how to handle stress, strategies for job hunting post-layoff, and how to reduce risks in full-time employment. Subscribe to Daliana's newsletter on dalianaliu.com for more on data science and career.

Working with Daliana on personal branding: https://forms.gle/heNuZzaHjaAMQwLu6
Daliana’s email: daliana@dalianaliu.com
Daliana's Twitter: twitter.com/DalianaLiu
Daliana’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dalianaliu

Susan Shu Chang
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susan-shu-chang
Newsletter: susanshu.substack.com

Sundar Swaminathan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sswamina3
Website: sundarswaminathan.com

00:00:00 Introduction
00:06:13 Severance Negotiation
00:20:29 Identity crisis
00:26:22 Job search after layoff
00:30:21 Networking
00:35:23 Risk at pre-seed startups
00:37:03 How should data scientists pick companies
00:40:43 What to ask hiring managers
00:45:01 Does GenAI change interview processes?
00:47:17 Are data science teams getting leaner?
00:48:56 Future of data science roles
00:50:37 Full time employment and job security
00:53:46 Benefits of full time jobs
00:58:14 Reduce risk of being laid off
01:00:43 How to sell yourself
01:02:43 How to plan your finances
01:05:09 How to become an independent consultant