Hello friends! We’ve all done this — quietly judging people on the quality of their audio output for years.

Every time someone joins a Zoom call sounding like they’re speaking through a tin can from the bottom of the ocean, a little part of us dies. Thought it was just us being petty (or neurodivergent), but it turns out science agrees!

A recent Yale University study found that people with poor audio quality on calls are deemed less hireable, less credible, and even less dateable. That’s right — your tiny microphone is literally sabotaging your love life.

So before your next virtual interview or team meeting, maybe consider upgrading from that built-in laptop mic. Your career (and possibly your dating prospects) might just depend on it.

Questions? Comments? Wondering if anyone’s listening? Reply to this email — we’d love to hear from you!

— Team Talivity 

Today’s edition is a 4-minute read. Here’s what to expect 

 DOGE days ahead for DC

️ 36% workers regret college degrees

️ HR tech scores $9M contract

 Layoffs at Google, Saks Global, Turo

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NEWS

One Thing You Should Know This Week

WSJ: Trump’s DOGE Threatens to Throw DC Economy Into Recession

The Washington, D.C. area has long enjoyed economic resilience during national downturns, but that’s changing — rapidly. According to The Wall Street Journal, economists believe government layoffs and looming budget cuts from President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will likely push the D.C. metro area into recession.

 The big picture

The nation’s capital region has enjoyed remarkable economic stability for decades, with unemployment consistently below national averages since at least 1990. But DOGE’s rapid cuts are creating catastrophic economic ripples across the region. Local businesses already report declining sales, hotels face booking shortfalls, and even summer camps are seeing unprecedented cancellations.

 By the numbers:

• 17% of D.C. metro area workers are federal employees
• 500,000 additional workers in government-adjacent roles
• 40,000 federal jobs in D.C. proper projected to be cut by 2029
• 10-20% sales declines reported by local businesses
• 0.5% projected GDP decline for D.C. metro area this year (second-worst among top 50 U.S. cities)

 The private sector opportunity

Some local business leaders see the DOGE cuts as a painful but necessary catalyst for economic diversification. For decades, the region has relied heavily on government spending, creating vulnerability to political shifts. Meanwhile, sectors like cybersecurity, healthcare, and green technology are eyeing the influx of highly credentialed talent. Organizations like the Northern Virginia Technology Council are already launching initiatives to match former federal workers with private companies, potentially seeding new growth clusters that could reduce the region’s dependence on government jobs long-term.

 What this means for TAs

Recruiters should prepare for a flood of highly skilled government and contractor talent entering the private sector job market. This represents both an opportunity and a challenge – while quality candidates will be plentiful, the sheer volume could overwhelm traditional hiring processes. Smart recruiters will develop strategies to identify transferable skills from government roles and create targeted onboarding programs for federal workers transitioning to corporate environments.

 Looking ahead

While the immediate outlook is concerning, there are glimmers of hope. Office occupancy and foot traffic in downtown D.C. have increased following Trump’s return-to-office orders. And though unemployment claims are rising, housing values remain strong, suggesting the market still has confidence in the region’s long-term prospects. The key question is whether this represents a painful but temporary adjustment or a fundamental reshaping of the region’s economy.

️ Read more in the Wall Street Journal

NUMBERS

Numbers That’ll Make You Think

• 1/3 — Of workers believe their college degree was a waste of time and/or money — diplomas are the new NFTs—expensive, regretful, and functionally useless. (Staffing Industry)
• 1/2  — Of Gen Z job seekers say AI has made their college education irrelevant — should’ve majored in Nepo Baby Studies or Advanced TikTok Strategy. (HR Dive)
• 66% — Of North American tech workers plan to look for a new job in the next 12 months. Fewer rage quits, more strategic ghosting. (Staffing Industry)
• 83% — Of 2025 graduates expect to find a job shortly after graduation, despite economic concerns. Manifestation is officially a career plan now. (USA Today)
• 70.9% — The EU employment rate in Q4 2024, the highest since records began in 2005. Turns out siestas and strong espresso were the secret all along. (Euronews)

INDUSTRY INTEL

C-Suite Moves, Industry Shifts, & Other Things To Know

• HR tech startup Piccadilly Software Group is moving to the Crossroads district in Kansas City after securing a $9 million defense contract. Come for the BBQ, stay for the DoD-approved HR tech. (Startland News)
• Hospitality giant Hyatt has named Kristin Oliver as Chief Human Resources Officer, succeeding Malaika Myers who retires in May after seven years with the company. May all your onboarding flows be smooth, and all your exits voluntary. (Hotel Management)
• The U.S. nursing workforce remains under severe strain, with a striking 41.5% of nurses planning to leave cite stress and burnout as their primary reason. This stat deserves a Code Blue and a Congressional hearing. (Staffing Industry)
• Job applications surged 24% year-over-year while openings increased 7%, according to iCIMS. Even in the turbulent D.C. area, applications jumped 37% as federal workers seek private sector roles. Job hunting in 2025: 400 applications, 1 reply, and a coupon for Calm Premium. (Staffing Industry)
• The U.S.-China trade dispute is reshaping global agriculture, with Brazil poised to benefit from America‘s soybean sales decline. Wow, soybeans now have more geopolitical drama than a Real Housewives reunion. (New York Times)

LAYOFFS

Places For You To Source Fresh Talent

• Tech giant Google has laid off hundreds of employees in its platforms and devices unit, which houses the Android platform, Pixel phones, and Chrome browser. The cuts follow January buyout offers to employees in the same division. (Reuters)
• Luxury retailer Saks Global is shutting down a fulfillment center in Tennessee and laying off approximately 450 employees. The department store conglomerate is reportedly working to slash $500 million in operating costs amid supplier tensions and economic headwinds. (Retail Dive)
• Car rental startup Turo has cut about 15% of its workforce (approximately 150 jobs) after withdrawing plans for an initial public offering. The company cited “ongoing economic uncertainty” as the reason for the cuts. (Bloomberg)
• Ad tech firm AppLovin is laying off 97 staff according to a WARN filing in California. The cuts reportedly include the CEO and design director at mobile game developer Machine Zone. The company has filed a string of layoff notices over the past year. (Pocket Gamer)
• Insurance SaaS startup Zopper has laid off around 100 employees since the start of 2025, including its entire 40-member insurance team and about 50 employees from tech and product teams. The cuts come just five months after the company raised $25 million in Series D funding. (Inc42)

  Thanks for reading!