A mid-level IT manager from an old IIT, once earning ₹70 lakh per year, now finds himself jobless and struggling to secure even an interview after seven months of relentless searching. His story—shared anonymously on Reddit—has struck a chord across India’s tech circles, highlighting a growing crisis in the country’s white-collar workforce.
The ex-manager revealed that he was laid off from a Nifty50 firm due to restructuring, just weeks after using his savings to buy a new home. Now, he is renting the house to cover EMIs while watching his finances dwindle.
“My savings are depleting really fast… I have a runway of just two months,” he wrote. Despite premium accounts on LinkedIn and Naukri, he’s managed only two interviews in seven months.
Even industry friends haven’t been able to help.
“At this level, options are few. I’m even okay with lower pay but not even getting calls. It’s all crashing down,” he added. “I have a family, and everyone is so stressed and sad.”
Responses from Reddit users highlighted that mid-career tech professionals, particularly middle managers, are facing the hardest squeeze in today’s volatile IT job market.
“Worst for middle managers,” posted user Arun. “Feel especially bad for people who just got pushed from IC to management and then got laid off.”
Another user, Ayan, called the IT scenario “brutal” and stressed the importance of multiple income streams, sharing how trading Nifty options now supplements his earnings.
Tech commentator Vishal Raina added a broader perspective:
“With possible H-1B restrictions and many MNCs setting up data centers in India, the job situation may improve in the short term. But in the long term, high-paying tech jobs will become much more limited.”
This story underscores the increasing uncertainty for mid-level tech professionals in India and the urgent need for career planning, financial backup, and adaptability in a rapidly changing job market.
