A former mid-level IT manager and IIT graduate, who once earned an impressive ₹70 lakh annual salary, has turned to Reddit to share his distressing seven-month unemployment journey, exposing the growing pressure on India's mid-career technology professionals.
The Sudden Fall From Corporate Success
The manager, previously employed at a prestigious Nifty50 company, lost his position during a corporate restructuring exercise. The timing couldn't have been worse - he was laid off just weeks after exhausting his savings to purchase a new home. To manage the financial strain, he has rented out his property to cover EMI payments while watching his financial safety net disappear rapidly.
"My savings are depleting really fast… I have a runway of just two months," he revealed in his emotional Reddit post. Despite investing in premium LinkedIn and Naukri subscriptions to boost his job search, the results have been disappointing. "In seven months, I have only received a few calls from consultants and just two interviews," he shared.
Industry Connections Fail to Deliver Support
Even his professional network within the industry has provided little assistance during this challenging period. The manager expressed his growing desperation, stating, "At this level, options are few. I'm okay with lower pay, but I'm not even getting calls. It's all crashing down."
The personal impact has been equally devastating for his family. "I have a family and everyone is so stressed," he wrote, highlighting the emotional toll of his prolonged unemployment situation.
Widespread Resonance Across Tech Community
His post struck a chord with numerous technology professionals who identified with his predicament. Many commenters described a similar slowdown in hiring for mid-career positions, particularly middle management roles caught between entry-level talent and senior leadership positions.
One user facing similar challenges pointed to automated resume filtering systems as a major obstacle: "Recruiters ghosting, no calls. AI filters don't care who you are. I only got callbacks after tailoring my resume using tools."
Another commenter suggested more drastic financial measures: "If money is a challenge, liquidate ancestral land or gold. That's what they're meant for."
A third respondent described the current IT job market as "brutal" and cautioned that the volatility might continue. "One should always have multiple income sources," he advised, mentioning that he supplements his income through Nifty options trading. "Multiple income streams are crucial today."
This sobering account from a highly qualified professional underscores the mounting challenges facing India's mid-level tech workforce, where experienced managers are discovering that their hard-earned credentials and extensive experience no longer guarantee job security in an increasingly volatile industry.
