I hear COP is hiring again, including poaching externally, less than 3 months since the last layoff! As such, the timing is perfect to share The Seven Survival Tips for a Job (NOT a Career) at COP:
1) Negotiate really well prior to being hired, as chances of promotion within the first 10+yrs post hiring will at best be slim to none. That is why they are vacancies in the first place; besides many systemic cultural problems that are often talked about but not acted upon.
2) Expect to work really hard to get projects off the ground just for them to be handed over on a silver platter to those more deserving (the brownnosers, the Yes-men).
3) Don't be offended by crude s-xist jokes in team meetings where senior men have no problem comparing a project to pregnancy ("is it a little pregnant, or a lot pregnant?") and referring to one on maternity leave as being tethered to something.
4) Have no ambitions, and if you do, don't share them especially if they involve cross-organizational moves (unless you are a HP or a early career tech awardee). Sharing your ambitions will be used against you; you will be sidelined from high visibility career-type projects and relegated to busy-type mediocre jobs.
5) Make peace with the fact that SOME tech fellows will only mentor those who look and act like them, and more importantly are Yes-Men who share their ambitions. Celebrate them for getting mentor-of-the-year award after repeatedly demeaning you and never giving you credit for any of your work. Indeed, Diversity and Inclusion matters and is highly rewarded!
6) Take a course on salesmanship, and while at it up your game on sycophancy. That is what will get you places; that is what will ensure you have a career, not just a job. Being competent and of good character, and having a strong work ethic have no value - not here anyway.
7) Eat the Do-Nuts. The cheap toxic Shipley types. Better still, why not go for seconds? They are the new mode of employee engagement - not purposeful work or career growth. Evidently, our managers take the H in HSES seriously and model it to perfection.
With all that said: there are still a few authentic and inspiring leaders left - those who are not simply 'checking boxes at the expense of their minions' to accelerate their upwards move. Look to role model their behaviors and to keep hope alive. Else, act on your exit plan.