Ex-Google Employee Pays for Job Referral

Former Google Contractor Offers $2,000 for Job Referrals

In a creative response to the challenging AI job market, a former Google contractor is offering $2,000 to anyone who helps him secure a job. Philipp Roessler, a tech marketer with 12 years of experience, has been unemployed for ten months and is using DIY flyers to stand out among thousands of applicants.

Roessler, who was laid off from his contract position at Google in July, has applied for numerous jobs but faced stiff competition. According to Layoffs.fyi, over 61,000 tech positions have been eliminated this year, making it increasingly difficult for professionals to find new opportunities.

A Unique Approach to Job Hunting

Frustrated by the lack of responses to his job applications, Roessler decided to take matters into his own hands. He began posting flyers in downtown BART stations in San Francisco, hoping to catch the attention of potential employers or referrers. The flyers, which include a QR code linking to his LinkedIn profile, are designed to differentiate him from candidates using AI-generated cover letters.

"I wanted to treat myself as the product and use corporate marketing strategies to advertise myself," Roessler said. "I felt like my résumé was going nowhere, and I needed to do something different to stand out."

Challenges in the AI Job Market

The AI job market downturn has made it particularly challenging for tech professionals to secure new roles. Roessler applied for a senior marketing position that had about 2,800 applicants, highlighting the fierce competition in the industry. Despite receiving numerous internal referrals, he has yet to land a job.

"Recruiters were contacting me, but I still couldn't find a job," Roessler said. "I decided a change was needed, and that's when I came up with the idea of using flyers to reach a wider audience."

Response to the Flyers

Roessler's flyers have garnered attention, although not all of it has been positive. Some people on Reddit made fun of the flyers' design, while others questioned whether it was a scam or performance art. Despite the criticism, Roessler remains optimistic about his approach.

"I stopped reading the comments because the criticism wasn't helpful," he said. "But the flyers seem to be working—I was contacted by a major tech company this week."

The Human Touch in Job Hunting

Roessler's strategy is not just about standing out; it's also about adding a human touch to the job hunting process. He believes that the personal effort demonstrated by posting flyers shows his dedication and seriousness about finding a job.

"I wanted to show that I'm willing to go the extra mile," Roessler said. "Getting up early on a Monday to reach my audience is just one way I'm demonstrating my commitment."

Future Plans

If his current approach proves successful, Roessler plans to expand his efforts. He mentioned that he might post flyers on Muni the following weekend, hoping to reach an even broader audience.

"I'm open to trying new things," Roessler said. "If this works, I'll keep pushing forward until I find the right opportunity."

Roessler's story highlights the challenges faced by tech professionals in the current job market and the creative strategies they are employing to overcome them. As the AI job market continues to evolve, innovative approaches like Roessler's may become more common.