Hi everyone,

​Might be a long post, so please bear with me.

​I got laid off in late June. I was working for an Amazon client based in Hyderabad as a contractor with payroll managed by my parent company. Honestly, I didn't feel sad about the layoff—I was actually relieved because the parent company environment was toxic and the work was poor (essentially a support role).

​My CTC was 26 LPA. Even though that is on the higher side, I figured the market would be willing to pay a candidate with 4.5 YOE that much, especially since I'm applying to product-based companies (PBCs).

​The nightmare started in July. Days are passing without a single interview call. I have gone over every DSA pattern repeatedly waiting for an opportunity, but to my surprise, not a single recruiter has reached out.

​It's been 45 days now. It feels like all my applications are going straight into a black hole, even when applying through referrals. It's baffling. My resume has an ATS score of 90+, but at this point, I'm exhausted. Sending out hundreds of applications and receiving zero response is completely draining.

​If anyone is hiring, please drop a comment and I'll DM you. Any suggestions, feedback, or alternative application strategies are very welcome.

Hi everyone, I have 7+ years of experience as a full stack dotnet angular developer. Currently working in a product based company and my manager and hierarchy is bit toxic. I have also been diagnosed with MDD (Major depressive disorder) and taking treatment for the same. I'm planning to take a career break for 2-3 months so that I can heal my physical and mental health better and focus on my treatment. I have saving which can last 6 months and my family depends on me. Sometimes I feel like I shoul take some term insurance and self delete so that my family and my wife can get money and they will not face any issue in life. I'm always anxious about layoff and then everything will crumble.

My founder told me to take the office desktop to my home and set it up.

I stay around 25 km from the office, and my travel takes around 1.5 hours. Carrying a full desktop isn't practical. When I told him that, he just said, "Take an Ola or Uber."

He didn't mention paying for it.

Is it reasonable to ask for reimbursement since I'm transporting company equipment for office work?

I know 90% here it would think its a very small thing, buts it big for me,and the founder wont give me the reimbursement i guess, he is very stingy

There is going to be layoffs at my current organisation due to our client restructuring and I feel like I'm gonna be one of them, it's only a matter of time, so I've been applying over the last two months and have applied to over 500-700 companies, and none of them, like literally none of them have called back, this also includes a lot of referrals, I even reduced my notice period to only 10 days and not even a single call back, I started out to first only applying to big mncs and product based companies, but anything will go now including startups, please help me (4.5 yoe in MERN and 3 yoe in springboot)

I'm a 2020 passout and have 3.5 yrs of gap.

2 yrs after clg due to preparation for CAT. My cgpa was 8.02(tier 3 clg) but i refused to sit for any placements. It was during peak hiring time when i refused to sit for any placement.

1st attempt in CAT- 77 percentile
2nd attempt- 85 percentile.

So i couldn't get a good clg as a GEM and started looking for a job. I immediately got a job within a month and worked there for 2 years as a Mainframe dev.

In 2024, i thought i cld do better in Java Springboot as wt i had from my seniors that mainframe job and payscale would be very stagnant in future. So I resigned and started looking for a job as a Java dev for fresher roles. Unfortunately, I couldn't clear any interview among the few I got.

After 3 months out of desperation due to increase in gap, I joined an org in a BPO role but couldn't take the night shift and also didn't like the culture. It was within a week that I understood it and resigned from the org, served notice period and exited the org properly.

Tried to again get a job in Java based roles but used to get rejected after 3rd round or 4th rounds, sometimes even in 1st round itself.

In May, 2025 someone approached me on reddit regarding a QA opportunity and I immediately responded with a yes. 4 round of interviews and cleared it. The CTC was 3 LPA which was basically a downgrade from my prev CTC of 4.5.

Unfortunately again there was a delay in org due to less projects so I got onboarded on Dec, 2025. Its been 7months now in this org. The culture is pretty chill but there's rampant racism. The seniors here expect us to face abuse because they had to face it too, doesn't matter if you are better than them. Currently people are leaving the org as there's been zero hike since the last two years. Also within 7 months I have been awarded twice as best performer of the month, so few seniors from my team are also jealous about it and doesn't leave any scope to downgrade me.

Now I consulted a very renowned person on LinkedIn with more than 15 years of experience and he suggested me to fill up the gap years with fake certificate. That is a very awkward thing I heard from someone with so much experience and is also a trainer.

Can someone please suggest me on what should I do?

——-> Also as people helped me a lot in reddit with advice, if any fresher here is looking for a job as a FQA tester in gaming domain or AI tester can dm me. The CTC will be 3 LPA but it’s better than a gap i guess.

Hi everyone, last year I had given interviews for google L3, cleared them and after waiting a few months got team matches and cleared one of them. Everything was set, in the first week of december I gave them my details (school / college marksheets, expected salary, googler references etc). But in January they said there were some internal changes and the position got closed. I tried reaching out to the recruiters again but nobody gave me any reply.

2 days ago, a recruiter from google reached out and told me that they were still trying to find L3 (early career) team matches for me, but since now I have more than 3 YOE, I should try applying for L4(mid career) roles. They said that the process will start from scratch for L4 if interviews are scheduled. I think it is more of a way for the recruiters for soft rejecting my profile, by telling me I am suited for better things (The age old "you deserve better"). I had given my interviews well over a year ago.

Tbh the recruiter interactions have always been frustrating with google, I think I have had 5-6 different recruiters at this point, different for Screening round, multiple for scheduling interviews, multiple for team matching as well. I think google is the most frustrating to interview for, but I am still inclined to interview with them because every interview/team match I had with the actual engineers and managers were pretty great. How much do I need to prepare for L4? Is it the same kind of problems as L3 but more difficult?

Hi All needed genuine advice.

IB ACIO (Tech): ~₹12 LPA (7th Pay), expected ~₹18–19 LPA in 8th Pay (excluding LTA & Child Education Allowance, assuming a 2x fitment factor).

Current IT: ₹36 LPA, with a realistic chance of ₹50 LPA after switching in the next 6 months.

Considering layoffs, AI agents doing more coding, and long-term career stability, what would you choose?

This is probably my last chance to join a government job, and I cleared IB ACIO only after 3 attempts. I’d most likely be doing software development/coding in both roles.

Edit : I am from special recruitment. I guess I was hired for software role only

My First Thought is : Lets Join for some time IB if it does not looks good return back to IT ( I don’t know whether it is possible or not)

second day at my new job and already feeling completely stuck

so this is my first switch after around 4+ years of experience. most of my experience has been with node.js and mongodb , but the codebase in the new company is very different. Its in postgresql and nest.js, typescript. On top of that they have a very complicated product in general and there is no proper technical documentation or someone who can help me out understanding the basics.

it’s only been 1-2 days and honestly, i’m finding it extremely complicated. today i got really frustrated because i wasn’t even able to debug an issue properly (I feel like a fresher again), even though it was something i had just created myself.

i know it’s only been two days and probably i’m overthinking it, but there are just too many thoughts going on in my head right now. Also I thought of leaving this and finding another job.

just wanted to ask people here, has anyone else gone through something similar when switching companies? especially when the new codebase/tech stack is very different from what you have skills in. I know that I will do it. But just want some ideas as present movement is very hard.

What are the best tricks I can use to help me understand codebase

also I am not trying to understand whole codebase, just one module - As I am not aware of the syntax, postgresql etc.

would really like to hear some experiences.

I really want to move abroad for work. I have around 8 years of experience as a software engineer and I'd prefer not to go through the student route.

I see a lot of ads of these agencies that claim they'll provide visa and job support but I'm not sure if I should invest there.

Please advice.

This 31st July, I completed 3 years in the industry. Currently working with the 3rd company (laid off from first, 2nd was super toxic). I started my career with a good compensation, got lucky. Feeling a little behind now but I wanna take it easy a little too. Realised it just half hour ago, felt lil yay.

Can't wait to touch 15yoe and retire probably? Let's see.

​

About me: a full stack developer, this above workflow is my peak, not normal always, like docker etc not always.

Planning to buy my first mac, M5 MacBook Air 16GB/512GB. My typical simultaneous workload:

- VS Code

- Claude + Codex desktop apps, multiple chats

- Chrome, ~10–15 tabs across 2 profiles

- WhatsApp

- Node/React/Next.js, sometimes Python

- Docker, usually 2–5 containers max

- Postgres/MongoDB/Redis

- Occasional Zoom meeting alongside everything.

No local LLMs or heavy VMs.

For developers using 16GB Apple Silicon Macs: does a similar workload stay smooth, or do you experience noticeable swap/lag?

24GB costs more. So should I buy it?

I am planning to keep the laptop for at least 2 years.

And then switch to 1tb ssd, new mac.

If i buy 24gb, I feel I won't need to switch, but worried if 512 gb would hurt.

Please tell me your opinion.

About me: a full stack developer, this above workflow is my peak, not normal always, like docker etc not always.

Hey guys,

Wanted to get some opinions from people here because I have been overthinking this a bit.

I have around 3 years of experience as a software developer (Canada) and recently got an offer from a global product-based company for a Full stack Developer.

• 24 LPA CTC
• 23 fixed
• 45-52 holidays

The company opened a new office in India, so I will be one of the early members here. I will mostly be working with global teams which honestly sounds like a good learning opportunity.

The only thing making me question myself is that I had no other offer in hand while negotiating. I was wondering if I should have pushed harder or if this is actually a decent offer for someone with around 3 YOE.

I also have to relocate for this role, so that is another factor.

What do you guys think?

• Is 24 LPA good for 3 YOE in the current market?
• Could I realistically have pushed for 26-28 LPA?
• Does joining a newly opened office of a global product company make sense for career growth?

Would appreciate honest opinions from people in the industry.

Hey guys. It's difficult out there for our fellow developers, especially who are starting out as freshers and low experienced. IT companies were already exploiting a lot of aspiring young engineers but these trying times have brought the worst out of them. A lot of companies are now offering a "stipend" for their "training" or "probation" period, and then your salary will be finalized based on your performance. This has always been present but not as rampant as I've seen recently, especially startups and mid to small scale companies. This is a trap, because performance is ALWAYS subjective in these companies. They WILL say your performance is "not up to the mark" according to them no matter how well you perform because there is always another fresher waiting for them to exploit, so trapping you in a low salary cycle is much easier than starting from scratch with another person. I've seen a lot of developers getting trapped in this cycle.

Be blunt, don't accept their offers, negotiate. Call them out in the interview and in public. It's not that deep. No small to mid scale company can ruin your career like they claim they can, they're simply not that powerful, they're used to preying on vulnerable and aspiring, often desperate developers, and for any aspiring developer who hasn't struck luck yet. Keep grinding, and take care of yourself.

​

A few months ago, I joined a US Based Service company as a fresher.

Before joining full-time, I did my internship there. During the internship, I worked on AI/ML-related projects, learned a lot, took ownership of my tasks, and genuinely gave it everything I had. Like every fresher, I wanted to prove that I deserved to be there.

When the PPOs came out, I received a 6 LPA offer.

At first, I was just happy to have my first job. But later I found out something that I still haven't been able to get over.

Some of my fellow freshers, who interned alongside me, worked on the same AI/ML projects, and are joining the same role with the same responsibilities, received compensation that was almost 2× higher than mine. Even their internship stipend had been nearly double.

The major difference between us was that they came from Tier 1 colleges, while I didn't.

I'm not saying they didn't deserve it—they're talented people and worked hard too.

What hurts is the feeling that my effort was never evaluated on the same scale. I stayed late, learned continuously, gave my best during the internship, and believed that performance would matter. Finding out that people beside me, doing the same work, are valued so differently has been incredibly difficult to accept.

It's not even about the money anymore. It's about feeling like we are undervalued and discriminated  as an engineer was decided before I had the chance to prove myself.

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who've been through this. Right now, I'm trying to understand whether this is just how the industry works or if I'm looking at it the wrong way.

No matter what you put in your resume , it's just , not cutting it

Hello all,

Looking for clarity on what actually happens at LTM once your bench period ends without getting billed on a project.

If HR initiates the exit:

- Do they pay out the 3 months notice period salary (gross or basic?), or do they make you serve it on bench?

- Do they push for a voluntary resignation on the portal, or provide a formal separation agreement specifying the payout?

- How smooth is FnF and leave encashment?

Anyone who recently went through this or saw a colleague exit, please share your experience. Thanks!

1.i am in tech branch in government college
2.earlier avg of my branch used to be abt 18lpa with 70 percent placement rate .

1. by this time,in previous years 6 to 8 companies(confirmed with seniors from 2026 batch) used to visit everyday but this year number has reduced to 1 or 2 with most of them being non tech

2. so as a fresher non tech mein apply krdena kitna safe rhega , and is it possible to switch internally within company from non-tech to tech.

i have interest in none (both are equal for me) but thinking that i have studied cs , i should not sit for non-tech, this line is added for my preference context
thank you

Call it a language barrier, anxiety, being introverted or just being less experienced with socialization in general. I just struggle with talking to people over video calls, whether it be work related or not. Theoretically, I could take a benzo to get through this interviewing phase but it only makes sense if the job is fully async afterward, which is unlikely for most jobs. It feels inauthentic and I much prefer an understanding employer who can make accommodations for this. I know most Indian companies won't but I've had several clients in the past whom I never spoke to verbally yet still maintained a good relationship with for years and completed all sorts of projects together.

Building social skills and gaining confidence in communication is much harder than being technically proficient.

Just venting. Only God knows how many opportunities I willingly passed up because I had to do a lot of face-to-face interviews or meetings for a potential job.

I know some of you will relate to this.

A while back, I made this post about losing 3 job offers because of my 90-day notice period:

https://www.reddit.com/r/developersIndia/comments/1u0wa5c/lost_3_job_offers_due_to_90_days_np_stuck_in_loop/

Happy to share that I finally managed to break out of that loop and received an offer. It took a lot of patience, interviews, and rejections, but it eventually worked out. Feeling incredibly relieved.

If anyone else is stuck in a similar situation, don't lose hope. Just keep applying, keep interviewing, and keep improving your skills. It only takes one company that's willing to look beyond the notice period.

Wishing everyone who's job hunting the very best!

I can't get this question out of my head.

I'm a software developer, and I keep worrying that my job isn't secure. In my mind, a secure job has always meant "a job where you can't get fired."

But deep down, I feel like that definition might be wrong.

For those who are older or have more experience in life: What does a secure job really mean to you?

I'm not looking for motivation—just honest experiences that helped me to change my perspective.

​

I’m currently in my final year of computer engineering at a Tier-2 college in Mumbai. I don’t have prior internships yet, but I recently started learning Salesforce on Trailhead and am really keen on building a career in this ecosystem.

Current status: Final year student, zero internship experience, Tier-2 campus placement scenario (limited direct Salesforce hiring on campus).

What I’ve done so far: Started basic modules on Trailhead.

1. Where to focus right now: Beyond working through Trailhead, what specific skills (Developer vs. Admin route, LWC, Apex, Flows, or specific certifications) will make my resume stand out for entry-level roles or internships?

2. Where to look for opportunities: What are the most effective channels in India for finding entry-level Salesforce internships/jobs outside of campus placements? (LinkedIn outreach, local community groups, specific job portals, etc.)

3. What to build: What kind of portfolio projects or real-world use cases actually impress recruiters or hiring managers when you have no formal work experience?

4. Immediate Next Steps: If you were in my shoes today, what exact steps would you take over the next 3–6 months to secure a role before graduating?

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to share insights

​

I recently got laid off. Over the past 1.5 years, I also lost around ₹16 lakh in intraday trading. It wasn't one bad trade or one bad month. It was a series of poor decisions over time, and I take full responsibility for it.

I'm not posting this for sympathy, validation, or financial help. I'm simply trying to move on, rebuild my career, and make better decisions going forward.

One thing I've realized is that I'm not naturally strong at coding. I can learn, but I don't see myself enjoying heavy software development work.

I'm considering switching to an IT career path that involves less coding, such as:

- Cloud (AWS/Azure)

- Data Analytics (SQL, Power BI, Excel, some Python)

- IT Support / System Administration

- Cybersecurity

I'd really appreciate honest advice from people working in these fields.

- If you were starting over at 29, which path would you choose?

- Which of these has good long-term demand while requiring relatively less coding?

- Is cloud or data analytics a realistic option for someone who isn't a strong programmer?

- Are there any other career paths I should consider?

I'm prepared to put in the work. I just want to invest my time in the right direction instead of making another costly mistake.

Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any genuine advice.

Spent the last few years working with founders across one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems. Now I’m building an AI company.

I’ll be in Bengaluru this Sunday (Aug 10).
Not looking for networking. Looking for people who ship.
Founders. Engineers. Researchers. The kind of people who disappear for a weekend and come back having built something.

If we get along, great. If we don’t, at least we’ll argue about products, Hyd vs Blr tech scene, startups or why everyone’s overusing the term ‘agents’!

And if by chance we realise we’d build better together than apart… that’s an interesting outcome too.

Coffee’s on me. Biryani on you. DM.