Jonathan Duncan was let go from his position at Microsoft in May after dedicating over 20 years to the company. Since then, he has submitted applications to approximately 200 jobs, only to be met with silence in response.
“Not a peep,” Duncan shared with GeekWire. Despite his efforts to tailor his resumes for each opportunity, engage in networking, and seek internal referrals, he has yet to secure a new position.
He is not the only one grappling with job uncertainty. Experienced tech professionals are discovering that they are not immune to the wave of layoffs sweeping the industry, making the job search process more challenging than ever before.
For years, the tech sector touted a talent shortage, with recruiters actively pursuing skilled workers. However, as Laura Close, CEO of Close Cohen, a job search and executive coaching firm, points out, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Seasoned leaders are now finding themselves facing significant obstacles in their quest for employment, with many taking upwards of a year to secure a new role.
Close emphasizes that the era of swift job transitions is a thing of the past, with ageism playing a significant role in the hiring process. Longtime employees are discovering that their wealth of experience is no longer as valued as it once was, with age-related bias starting as early as 40 in the tech industry.
As Allison Shrivastava, an economist at Indeed, notes, the current job market is challenging for individuals across the board, from recent college graduates to seasoned professionals. While overall unemployment rates remain low, the duration of unemployment is on the rise.
According to Layoffs.fyi, over 114,000 tech workers have been laid off this year, reflecting a continued trend of workforce reductions in the industry. Major tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon have announced significant layoffs in 2025, signaling a shift towards efficiency and AI-driven processes.
Reflecting on his time at Microsoft, Duncan recalls widespread budget cuts and a trend of underleveling roles within the organization. He believes that high-paying tech jobs are becoming scarcer, mirroring a broader industry trend towards streamlining operations.
Shrivastava suggests that the current wave of layoffs is a result of over-hiring during the post-pandemic tech boom rather than solely driven by AI restructuring efforts. However, companies are increasingly turning to AI to drive growth without expanding their workforce, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
For many tech professionals facing layoffs, the situation is further compounded by personal financial pressures and a sense of identity crisis. Nancy Poznoff, an executive coach at Close Cohen, notes that many individuals struggle with the transition from high-flying corporate roles to uncertainty in the job market.
Duncan, who still maintains contact with former colleagues at Microsoft, acknowledges the intense pressure and uncertainty within the company. The pervasive culture of layoffs has created a sense of fear and instability among employees, leading to a challenging work environment.
As the tech industry grapples with ongoing layoffs and restructuring efforts, employees like Duncan are left navigating a landscape of uncertainty and change, unsure of what the future holds.
