Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 19:44     Subject: Re:Private Sector Layoffs

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It's horrible. My husband was laid off in September, he has networked consistently (many of his contacts are currently laying off workers), keeps applying to anything even remotely reasonable and keeps hitting dead ends. He's an awesome guy and great at what he does (software developer) but he's an introvert and the interview process really rattles his nerves. They keep picking the other guy after multiple interviews rounds.

We were doing so well and had built up a nice nest egg for ourselves with dreams of an early-ish retirement, maybe 6-8 more years for him at his previous salary. Our kids are still young and our retirement plans are disappearing before our eyes each month that goes by. I scrambled to get a new job with better benefits and better pay but I'm still grieving the dream job I had to leave. I feel terrible for him and everyday I hope that a job offer with finally materialize but he's barely even getting interviews at this point. We're both mentally and physically exhausted and it sucks to go into the holidays this way.


Yes, it is horrible. At least twenty of my software developer colleagues and former colleagues, who made at least 250K per year, were laid off in the past eighteen months, and are still struggling to get jobs that even pay 150K per year. The vast majority of them are 40+, and have been out of work for at least eleven months. The job market is so bad, and if you're 40+, it is very difficult if not almost possible to land a software developer job these days. I am still working but I am waiting for the other shoes to drop anytime now.


Coming into say we're another family in the same position. I never thought my engineer DH would be laid off and have so much trouble finding a job ..he's brilliant, hardworking, and great to work with. Has a good network who have tried to help but after 4 months not one offer. I fear this may never end at this point, or whatever he gets will be a big step down from where he was before.

combination of AI and too many H1bs, so both of those are sucking up all the vacancies and also are the first to get laid off. There needs to be a rull that all H1Bs get culled and deported and only brought back if unemployment is below 0% meaning all avenues to hire US citizens have been exausted.


It's literally impossible to have 0% unemployment, but I agree with your overall point. These CEOs and politicians saying we need to bring in skilled workers from abroad is insane. We have the best university system in the world. There shouldn't be H1Bs for computer scientists or any other highly skilled profession given out until our graduates are employed. As hard as it is for more senior people to find work right now, it's even harder if you have zero experience.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 18:25     Subject: Re:Private Sector Layoffs

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It's horrible. My husband was laid off in September, he has networked consistently (many of his contacts are currently laying off workers), keeps applying to anything even remotely reasonable and keeps hitting dead ends. He's an awesome guy and great at what he does (software developer) but he's an introvert and the interview process really rattles his nerves. They keep picking the other guy after multiple interviews rounds.

We were doing so well and had built up a nice nest egg for ourselves with dreams of an early-ish retirement, maybe 6-8 more years for him at his previous salary. Our kids are still young and our retirement plans are disappearing before our eyes each month that goes by. I scrambled to get a new job with better benefits and better pay but I'm still grieving the dream job I had to leave. I feel terrible for him and everyday I hope that a job offer with finally materialize but he's barely even getting interviews at this point. We're both mentally and physically exhausted and it sucks to go into the holidays this way.


Yes, it is horrible. At least twenty of my software developer colleagues and former colleagues, who made at least 250K per year, were laid off in the past eighteen months, and are still struggling to get jobs that even pay 150K per year. The vast majority of them are 40+, and have been out of work for at least eleven months. The job market is so bad, and if you're 40+, it is very difficult if not almost possible to land a software developer job these days. I am still working but I am waiting for the other shoes to drop anytime now.


Coming into say we're another family in the same position. I never thought my engineer DH would be laid off and have so much trouble finding a job ..he's brilliant, hardworking, and great to work with. Has a good network who have tried to help but after 4 months not one offer. I fear this may never end at this point, or whatever he gets will be a big step down from where he was before.

combination of AI and too many H1bs, so both of those are sucking up all the vacancies and also are the first to get laid off. There needs to be a rull that all H1Bs get culled and deported and only brought back if unemployment is below 0% meaning all avenues to hire US citizens have been exausted.


Yep, my dh in tech was laid off over 2 years ago. Has not been back to work in tech. Now does 'consulting' at 1/10th the salary. I also work around tech- from a different side- and it is absolutely filled with non Americans. I hate to sound xenophobic, but it's hard to see when I know my dh and so many of his coworkers have struggled to find work
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2025 20:19     Subject: Private Sector Layoffs

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m imagining it but it seems like private sector layoffs are skyrocketing. Today it was Verizon 15,000 jobs and some tech company Synopsys cutting 10% of its workforce and it seems like a new announcement every day. What is going on? It can’t just be AI and this has been happening when stock prices are at all time highs (other than today of course). It’s getting scary out there.


and don't forget , these same companies continue to hire hundreds of thousands of H1Bs and OPTs and L1s.

while they fire US citizens.

Microsoft has submitted approximately 15,000 layoffs nationwide this year. The steep job cut numbers include 6,000 in May, and 9,000 in July.

https://mynorthwest.com/local/microsoft-layoffs-redmond/4119076

During the last fiscal year, Microsoft applied for 9,491 H-1B visas. All were approved.

https://www.newsweek.com/microsoft-layoffs-h1...applications-2094370

H1B and OPT and L1 have NOTHING to do with specialized skills. Over 80% are for entry level workers. it is a scam. Hopefully now others are getting fired, they will have more sympathy and work to repeal H1B/OPT/L1.


Ever wonder why Microsoft and Google ceos are Indians? Yup
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2025 14:38     Subject: Private Sector Layoffs

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m imagining it but it seems like private sector layoffs are skyrocketing. Today it was Verizon 15,000 jobs and some tech company Synopsys cutting 10% of its workforce and it seems like a new announcement every day. What is going on? It can’t just be AI and this has been happening when stock prices are at all time highs (other than today of course). It’s getting scary out there.


and don't forget , these same companies continue to hire hundreds of thousands of H1Bs and OPTs and L1s.

while they fire US citizens.

Microsoft has submitted approximately 15,000 layoffs nationwide this year. The steep job cut numbers include 6,000 in May, and 9,000 in July.

https://mynorthwest.com/local/microsoft-layoffs-redmond/4119076

During the last fiscal year, Microsoft applied for 9,491 H-1B visas. All were approved.

https://www.newsweek.com/microsoft-layoffs-h1...applications-2094370

H1B and OPT and L1 have NOTHING to do with specialized skills. Over 80% are for entry level workers. it is a scam. Hopefully now others are getting fired, they will have more sympathy and work to repeal H1B/OPT/L1.
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2025 14:18     Subject: Private Sector Layoffs

There was a time when it was quite easy to get one but maybe that has changed.
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2025 12:33     Subject: Private Sector Layoffs

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I work for a DoD contractor. Plenty of them are hiring SW people. Not for $250. But more than $150 if you have the skills and the clearances.


Sure, but you have to come from DOD generally to HAVE the clearances. Only a sliver of big tech in cloud services give clearances.


+1

I have at least five offers from DoD contractors that want to hire me, but they need active clearance which I do not have.
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2025 11:18     Subject: Private Sector Layoffs

Anonymous wrote:I work for a DoD contractor. Plenty of them are hiring SW people. Not for $250. But more than $150 if you have the skills and the clearances.


Sure, but you have to come from DOD generally to HAVE the clearances. Only a sliver of big tech in cloud services give clearances.
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2025 09:58     Subject: Re:Private Sector Layoffs

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It's horrible. My husband was laid off in September, he has networked consistently (many of his contacts are currently laying off workers), keeps applying to anything even remotely reasonable and keeps hitting dead ends. He's an awesome guy and great at what he does (software developer) but he's an introvert and the interview process really rattles his nerves. They keep picking the other guy after multiple interviews rounds.

We were doing so well and had built up a nice nest egg for ourselves with dreams of an early-ish retirement, maybe 6-8 more years for him at his previous salary. Our kids are still young and our retirement plans are disappearing before our eyes each month that goes by. I scrambled to get a new job with better benefits and better pay but I'm still grieving the dream job I had to leave. I feel terrible for him and everyday I hope that a job offer with finally materialize but he's barely even getting interviews at this point. We're both mentally and physically exhausted and it sucks to go into the holidays this way.


Yes, it is horrible. At least twenty of my software developer colleagues and former colleagues, who made at least 250K per year, were laid off in the past eighteen months, and are still struggling to get jobs that even pay 150K per year. The vast majority of them are 40+, and have been out of work for at least eleven months. The job market is so bad, and if you're 40+, it is very difficult if not almost possible to land a software developer job these days. I am still working but I am waiting for the other shoes to drop anytime now.


Coming into say we're another family in the same position. I never thought my engineer DH would be laid off and have so much trouble finding a job ..he's brilliant, hardworking, and great to work with. Has a good network who have tried to help but after 4 months not one offer. I fear this may never end at this point, or whatever he gets will be a big step down from where he was before.

combination of AI and too many H1bs, so both of those are sucking up all the vacancies and also are the first to get laid off. There needs to be a rull that all H1Bs get culled and deported and only brought back if unemployment is below 0% meaning all avenues to hire US citizens have been exausted.
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2025 09:14     Subject: Re:Private Sector Layoffs

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It's horrible. My husband was laid off in September, he has networked consistently (many of his contacts are currently laying off workers), keeps applying to anything even remotely reasonable and keeps hitting dead ends. He's an awesome guy and great at what he does (software developer) but he's an introvert and the interview process really rattles his nerves. They keep picking the other guy after multiple interviews rounds.

We were doing so well and had built up a nice nest egg for ourselves with dreams of an early-ish retirement, maybe 6-8 more years for him at his previous salary. Our kids are still young and our retirement plans are disappearing before our eyes each month that goes by. I scrambled to get a new job with better benefits and better pay but I'm still grieving the dream job I had to leave. I feel terrible for him and everyday I hope that a job offer with finally materialize but he's barely even getting interviews at this point. We're both mentally and physically exhausted and it sucks to go into the holidays this way.


Yes, it is horrible. At least twenty of my software developer colleagues and former colleagues, who made at least 250K per year, were laid off in the past eighteen months, and are still struggling to get jobs that even pay 150K per year. The vast majority of them are 40+, and have been out of work for at least eleven months. The job market is so bad, and if you're 40+, it is very difficult if not almost possible to land a software developer job these days. I am still working but I am waiting for the other shoes to drop anytime now.


Coming into say we're another family in the same position. I never thought my engineer DH would be laid off and have so much trouble finding a job ..he's brilliant, hardworking, and great to work with. Has a good network who have tried to help but after 4 months not one offer. I fear this may never end at this point, or whatever he gets will be a big step down from where he was before.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2025 21:01     Subject: Private Sector Layoffs

I work for a DoD contractor. Plenty of them are hiring SW people. Not for $250. But more than $150 if you have the skills and the clearances.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2025 20:57     Subject: Private Sector Layoffs

I may not be interpreting your meaning correctly. That said, if it weren't for the general economic slowdown I regularly hired people in their 40's. There's can be a huge advantage bringing in a demographic that largely learned the hard way, and didn't just get dropped into the labor market having to master the latest pile of abstractions.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2025 20:34     Subject: Re:Private Sector Layoffs

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It's horrible. My husband was laid off in September, he has networked consistently (many of his contacts are currently laying off workers), keeps applying to anything even remotely reasonable and keeps hitting dead ends. He's an awesome guy and great at what he does (software developer) but he's an introvert and the interview process really rattles his nerves. They keep picking the other guy after multiple interviews rounds.

We were doing so well and had built up a nice nest egg for ourselves with dreams of an early-ish retirement, maybe 6-8 more years for him at his previous salary. Our kids are still young and our retirement plans are disappearing before our eyes each month that goes by. I scrambled to get a new job with better benefits and better pay but I'm still grieving the dream job I had to leave. I feel terrible for him and everyday I hope that a job offer with finally materialize but he's barely even getting interviews at this point. We're both mentally and physically exhausted and it sucks to go into the holidays this way.


Yes, it is horrible. At least twenty of my software developer colleagues and former colleagues, who made at least 250K per year, were laid off in the past eighteen months, and are still struggling to get jobs that even pay 150K per year. The vast majority of them are 40+, and have been out of work for at least eleven months. The job market is so bad, and if you're 40+, it is very difficult if not almost possible to land a software developer job these days. I am still working but I am waiting for the other shoes to drop anytime now.


They should get jobs for the government, like working at NIST or NASA, at 40+ they should be millionaires already or they aren’t cut out for tech. Too bad gov is a cluster.


Where do people get this stuff from? Tech in the DC area isn't paying SV salaries. 250k/year trying to raise a family isn't going to make you wealthy.


I’m saying from perspective of tech hiring — if you haven’t shown you have IT but being executive or founder, 40 is too old.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2025 20:27     Subject: Private Sector Layoffs

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The tech oligarchs don’t believe all men are equal or human rights. They literally think some people are better than others, and they are the betters and deserve more. So they are taking more and pushing towards feudalism with all of us former white collar workers picking food in the field. Or dead. They don’t care, because we don’t matter to them.


Aren’t a ton of ‘tech’ people out of work?


You misunderstand. The tech oligarchs are fine, but they are laying off their workers left and right and hiring non Americans and freelancers whenever possible