“Not a scream,” Duncan told GeekWire. She tried to tailor resumes for each role, subscribing to job alerts, networking with colleagues, and internal referrals. Nothing worked.
He is not alone. Experienced tech professionals across the industry are learning that they Not immune to massive pruning – and it’s looking for a new job Not as easy as before.
Veteran tech workers face
For years, tech workers were told there was a talent shortage. Recruiters chase them. But in 2025, leaders who built their entire careers on increasingly mastering key calculations “Veteran tech workers face” and organizational processes are “reducing in staggering numbers right now,” he says. Laura CloseIts CEO Close CohenA job search and executive coaching firm.
Close says some of the “super high-value professionals” she works with take 12 to 18 months to find a new job.
The golden age of rapid change is over,” he said.
And in an industry that “equates youth with innovation and tenacity,” Close said, longtime workers are finding that the measure of their previous success is no longer valuable — decades of expertise have become a liability, not an asset.
“What we’re seeing now is ageism on steroids,” Close said. He noted that in technology, age-related bias often begins before 40—earlier than many think.
A cool market
Veteran tech workers face
Alison SrivastavaIn fact, says one economist, it’s tough for anyone trying to get hired Fresh college grad to more experienced workers.
“If you’re trying to get a job or change jobs in a tech-related field, you’re probably really, really struggling,” he said.
While unemployment remains largely low, the number of people out of work is increasing, Srivastava said.
More than 114,000 tech workers have been laid “Veteran tech workers face” off so far this year, compared with about 153,000 workers in 2024 and “Veteran tech workers face” about 265,000 workers in 2023, according to layoffs.fyi. The pace has slowed from a peak in 2023, but cuts continue.
Seattle-area tech giants Microsoft and Amazon have announced major layoffs in 2025. Both companies are investing heavily in AI infrastructure with an emphasis on efficiency.
As a senior manager at Microsoft, Duncan says budgets have recently been cut across the board — training, travel, morale-building. When people left, they weren’t “Veteran tech workers face” replaced. Every quarter brings new demands for refund of unspent funds.
He also noticed what he called “underleveling” — senior director roles being posted at lower levels than before, with manager positions offered at the individual contributor level.
He stated, “I believe that the era of lucrative technology positions is coming to an end.”
Srivastava said the current layoffs are likely a “shedding” from a huge over-hiring during the post-pandemic tech boom, not necessarily an AI restructuring story.
But at the same time, as The Wall Street Journal Reportedly, many companies are betting that AI can help them grow — without increasing headcount.
‘Who am I?‘ Veteran tech workers face
For many of these workers, the timing couldn’t be worse with aging parents, kids off to college and retirement on the horizon.
“I consider it the most expensive “Veteran tech workers face” time of my life,” Duncan said. Her oldest son is a sophomore in college, and her youngest starts next fall. He is pricing family plans for insurance for the first time.
And then there’s stock compensation. When Duncan was laid off, he had several thousand dollars worth of Microsoft shares that were not invested.
“It was the kids’ college fund,” he said.
Nancy PoznoffFinancial stress is fueling an identity crisis for many laid-off executives, says an executive coach at Close Cohen.
“They have consistently excelled throughout their careers,” Poznoff remarked. “They adhered to all the guidelines. They accomplished what was expected of them.” And now they suddenly have this identity crisis, because a lot of them have been at their company for so long, they’re afraid, ‘How am I going to function when I’m not at Amazon?’ Like, ‘Who am I?’
“You are facing this monetary strain, and alongside it, there is the impact of pride,” he mentioned. “This is an extremely challenging period.”
Duncan continues to communicate with his past colleagues at Microsoft. He describes the internal pressure as harsh. He is uncertain about returning – even if it’s possible for him to do so.
Angus Norton, former Microsoft and Amazon executive, recently wrote About the permanent retrenchment toll on those who remain.
“It creates a hierarchy of fear. Everyone becomes a potential target. Everyone knows someone who was let go despite great performance,” he wrote. “The message is clear: no one is safe.”
https://www.geekwire.com/2025/not-a-squeak-veteran-tech-workers-face-new-reality-amid-layoffs-and-tough-job-market/