What happens when a UX leader who’s built billion-dollar systems for Fortune 500 companies gets ghosted by recruiters and told they’re “overqualified”? In this episode, Dray sits down with Chris Nelson – former Head of Design at Walmart Fulfillment Services – for a raw, unfiltered conversation on layoffs, LinkedIn noise, AI chaos, and the exhausting ritual of job searching in 2025.
Chris shares stories from Verizon to JCPenney, explains why he left startups behind, and gives insight into the shifting world of user experience and design. They break down how AI is being used (and misused) in the hiring process, the emotional toll of recruiter ghosting, and how networking is more critical than ever.
If you’ve ever yelled “JUST TRANSFER ME TO A HUMAN,” questioned if your resume is cursed, or felt stuck in the black hole of job applications—this one’s for you.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Relocation layoffs and corporate restructuring
- The “dating app” energy of recruiting
- Overqualification as a silent rejection tool
- Using AI in job search (without replacing your humanity)
- Starting your own thing after corporate burnout
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
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Thanks for supporting The Reboot Era — every follow, share, and tip helps me keep making content for anyone navigating layoffs, pivots, and everything in between.
Everything shared on this podcast is based on personal experience and opinion. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, no content should be considered professional, legal, or career advice. Any mention of companies, products, or individuals is done in a personal capacity and does not represent the views or endorsements of those organizations or people. If a sponsorship or paid partnership is ever included, it will be clearly disclosed during the episode.
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