Indian Techie’s ₹70 LPA to Zero: Senior Job Search Struggle

The ongoing volatility in the technology sector has been sharply illustrated by the recent plight of a senior Indian tech professional who shared his story on Reddit.

The mid-level manager, who commanded an annual salary of approximately ₹70 lakh (LPA), has been unemployed for seven months following a layoff from a Nifty50 company due to internal restructuring. He described the period as a “depressing last 7 months,” citing a complete halt in his income.

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The Challenge of Senior Experience

The techie, who possesses over 18 years of experience across multiple industries, detailed his frustration. He has a history of successfully implementing new technology and navigating digital revolutions in the boardroom, yet he now struggles to even secure interviews.

“Was making around 70Lpa seven months back, now I am back to zero. My savings are depleting really fast and have a runway of just 2 months,” the Redditor wrote, highlighting the severe financial stress on his family.

The inability to service his mortgage forced him to rent out a recently purchased, larger house.

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Despite actively using major job platforms like LinkedIn and Naukri, and relying on professional references and consultants, the results have been minimal: only two interviews in seven months.

The techie acknowledged that high-level positions are scarce and even expressed readiness to accept a lower salary, but the lack of basic callbacks persists.

Netizen Feedback and Market Reality

The post garnered widespread attention, prompting a wave of support and advice from the online community.

Several users sympathized with the difficulty of securing senior roles in the current climate:

• One commenter, sharing a similar experience with 11 years of software industry experience, noted: “Referrals are not working. Not sure what is wrong.”

The core of the advice revolved around market adaptation and presentation:

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• Skill Upgrading: A prominent suggestion was to “Learn new skills. Look at [the] job market, what is in demand. Try to learn those skills and upgrade.” This advice was underscored by the warning that “Project Manager jobs are actively getting automated.”
• Resume Optimization: Another user advised adjusting credentials, suggesting, “Change your experience and titles as per job requirements,” to avoid being perceived as overqualified for available roles.

The techie’s struggle underscores a growing trend where vast experience, particularly at a high salary level, can become a liability in a rapidly shifting, cost-conscious, and automation-focused tech job market.

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Also read: The Professional Exit: 10 Essential Steps to Take Before You Resign