Seriously, folks, now is the time to dust of your resumes, update your LinkedIn profile, and call that buddy from college who might now the guy who knows the guy.
The way things are shaping up in the entire industry, we might find ourselves in a situation where we are trying to find a job in a market over-saturated with laid off people with same sets of skills.
You really want to be prepared for that.
Indeed the industry is going through a major shake up. Vendors (not only O) lost their market dominance. Be prepared to work in an industry other than IT (with an IT function)
Thanks ahole
"It's NOT a guarantee, it never is, but it IS a distinct advantage over someone going in without an internal recommendation."
Many years back, when the interview process wasn't what it is today, an insider friend could be a big help, as you were not an unknown quantity. But I have witnessed too many times people getting shot down because they hiccuped (as in not aced) the interview, and their connections, who invariably would say that Joe or Jane are great and got things done, would be ignored. I suppose it's better than nothing.
Well no it's not going to guarantee a job, but it's a crack in the door, so to speak. Someone knows there is an opening and can put in a good ford for you.
It's NOT a guarantee, it never is, but it IS a distinct advantage over someone going in without an internal recommendation.
In my decades of work experience, the OP has great advice.
"call that buddy from college who might now the guy who knows the guy"
In my limited experience, cronyism only works for the guys and gals at the top. Everyone else has to run the interview gauntlet now, getting grilled for hours and taking skill tests. You even have to do that to get a job at O these days. In many other companies you don't get promoted based on past performance, you have to interview for that Principal or Senior Principal position, just as if you were an outsider.