Off the VPN

Is it ever okay to put an interviewee on blast on social media? What’s the best way to deescalate a situation with an aggressive coworker? And when is the right time to speak up and have those tough work conversations even if you’re doing it solo? In this episode of Off the VPN, hosts Allison and Jasmine answer your questions about when to speak up for yourself in the office. Spoilers: We’re not doing it often enough. Lock in for a conversation about standing on business and saying the thing you’re struggling to say—for better and worse!

Got a question you’d like answered on the show? Drop us a line at jellyfish.co/offthevpn. And don’t worry! We promise to keep it Off the VPN.


Highlights:

The Power of Speaking Up:
Speaking up can be risky, but it’s oh-so-important. Find out why advocating for yourself and others is a game-changer, even when the stakes are high.

Dealing with Difficult Coworkers: Ever had that one coworker who's talented but just plain aggressive? We feel you. In this episode, we discuss strategies to address and resolve conflict without igniting a firestorm. And yes, we talk about that tricky balance of not wanting to ruffle feathers but also not tolerating bad behavior.

Public vs. Private Responses: Sometimes, things get so messed up, you just want to vent on social media, right? We explore whether calling out a company or individual publicly is ever the right move. Spoiler alert: opinions were divided! Let’s just say you might want to think twice before hitting “post” on that LinkedIn rant.


Jump into the conversation:
05:08 What happens when a job interview revealed the role doesn't match description?
13:51 When is it okay to put an interviewee on blast on social media?
25:39 Articulate feedback tactfully to encourage progress.
28:10 Why a large conference room isn’t the best setting for providing feedback. 
42:15 Encourage diverse voices, don't silence opinions.

What is Off the VPN?

Is bringing up your software engineering salary a dating red flag? How do you strike a balance between career ambition and incendiary burnout? Is it ever okay to hold your code hostage in escrow? Navigating a career in tech raises a lot of tricky questions that aren’t exactly appropriate for the daily stand-up. So let’s take this off the VPN.

In this new podcast from Jellyfish, work besties Jasmine and Allison scour the internet to find the real questions engineers and developers are whispering over drinks and posting about anonymously. Together, they’ll tackle the most troubling of inquiries with authenticity, humor, and absolutely no holding back.