The National Security Agency is doggedly courting laid-off Big Tech workers as the spy agency undertakes one of its largest hiring surges in the last 30 years:
The NSA began privately reaching out to Big Tech employees over LinkedIn last fall, as word spread that major American companies such as Meta and Amazon were bleeding tens of thousands of skilled workers.
NSA talent management senior strategist Christine Parker said the spy agency also saw predictions of more job cuts, and sprung into action.
"NSA started reaching out through LinkedIn, through some of our career boards, specifically sending messages to people that we thought might be linked to some companies that either were in the news saying they are going to lay-off or were predicted to be laid off," Ms. Parker said in an interview. "Just kind of let them know that we're here and that we have this robust, ongoing hiring program."
[...] The NSA is currently hiring 3,000 new employees to work across the country, from the D.C.-area to Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Texas and Utah, according to Molly Moore, NSA deputy director of workforce support activities.
[...] More than half of the NSA's 3,000 open positions are for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics work. The spy agency, which is focused on signals intelligence collection, is in the market for data and computer scientists, software engineers, cybersecurity experts, human-machine teaming experts, and mathematicians, according to NSA director of operations Natalie Lang.
Related: GM Hiring Tech Talent Laid Off By Silicon Valley Companies
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Due to a changing economic climate, tech companies like Google and Apple have been laying off employees to cut costs and prepare for a potential recession. Meanwhile, automakers like GM have been taking advantage of this influx of talented workers by hiring them to develop the new age of digital vehicles:
According to a report from Detroit Free Press, GM has loosened up its hiring freeze to exploit the new surplus of skilled workers. This makes sense given that The General had a goal to hire 8,000 employees last year to help it focus on the development of the technology needed for electric vehicles. In fact, GM was looking to hire a number of software developers and engineers for its new end-to-end software platform, Ultifi. As a whole, this incursion of digital-focused employees will help the Detroit-based automaker further develop its EVs and self-driving technologies, like Super Cruise and Ultra Cruise.
"While this isn't a major growth year from a hiring standpoint, we're continuing to hire tech talent," said GM spokeswoman Maria Raynal. "This includes some of the talent in the market due to the tech downsizing, particularly in areas such as EV development, software development and defined vehicle."
The auto industry is not immune to the nationwide problems of too few applicants and employees who just stop showing up. Also, I'm wondering how motivated Silicon Valley tech workers will be to move to Detroit.
Previously: Google Employees Brace for a Cost-Cutting Drive as Anxiety Mounts
(Score: 4, Funny) by looorg on Monday February 06 2023, @08:50PM (1 child)
So they checked up on companies that were letting people go and then contacting them to "Just kind of let them know that we're here ...". Doesn't sound creepy and stalker like at all. Perfectly encapsulating the NSA?
Do you like Cyberstalking people? We do to! Come join us ...
(Score: 3, Funny) by driverless on Tuesday February 07 2023, @04:29AM
If you're interested in a job interview, just pick up the phone and request one. Doesn't matter who you call, we'll get the message.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 06 2023, @09:08PM (1 child)
If they contacted them a day or two BEFORE they were let go.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 07 2023, @05:36AM
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Monday February 06 2023, @09:34PM (4 children)
I do. Got a security clearance in the early 80s. I was honest about the smoking pot part of my drug use. They talked to the neighbors I grew up with (found out when one asked me, as I was having dinner with my parents, "Um, you know the FBI is asking about you"), talked to my neighbors, when I'd moved in a month ago (next door neighbor: dafuq? FBI was here, I don't even know your name).
Then got interviewed at work. I was in a cubicle, they kicked a "manager" out of her office (which was a cubicle with taller walls, everyone around could still hear every word) and asked me about my drug use. I'd quit smoking pot a couple years earlier and wasn't doing any drugs at the time *cough tequila*.
I got my clearance, which turned out to be both fun and a joke (different stories).
Disclaimer: I not only did a shitload of drugs in high school, (class of '76) I sold them. I quit selling them after high school because I suck at networking and after high school I suddenly had no network.
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday February 06 2023, @09:51PM (2 children)
Do drugs cause runny sinuses?
What doesn't kill me makes me weaker for next time.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 06 2023, @10:19PM
> Do drugs cause runny sinuses?
The really *good* drugs are supposed to stop runny sinuses. But these don't exist, according to my friend...who isn't Snotnose, but does have perpetually runny sinuses and has tried every one she could find.
(Score: 2) by krishnoid on Monday February 06 2023, @10:24PM
Sometimes yes. But sometimes, the drugs intended to prevent runny sinuses [accidentalscientist.com] actually have other drug side-effects.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by driverless on Tuesday February 07 2023, @04:34AM
They seem to be interested more in whether you're honest about it than whether you use weed or not. Friend of mine went through a similar experience, he told them the truth about his weed use and that was the end of it. Another time he had a momentary brain fart and did something a bit stupid, immediately admitted to it, and the response was "be more careful next time". It's the people who slip up and try and cover it up that they need to worry about...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 06 2023, @09:42PM
You won't get daily massages and wine on tap, but at least you can continue to be an Internet Karen.
(Score: 5, Funny) by DannyB on Monday February 06 2023, @09:52PM
Ability to remain calm and not breathe hard while listening to phone conversations.
What doesn't kill me makes me weaker for next time.
(Score: 4, Touché) by legont on Tuesday February 07 2023, @03:40AM
Just after the Snowden disaster banking hired all that thousands fired NSA monkeys.
"Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.