Man with ₹50 LPA Laid Off by US Startup Struggles to Find Job

Key Takeaways

• Over 62,000 tech workers were laid off by mid-2025, continuing a trend from late 2022.
• High past salaries like ₹50 LPA hinder reemployment as companies seek cost control.
• Affected workers must downscale pay, reskill, and network to find new tech jobs.

This analysis examines the situation of a professional with a ₹50 LPA (lakhs per annum) salary who was laid off from a US startup and now faces significant challenges in finding new employment, despite having strong experience. The purpose is to provide a clear, evidence-based understanding of how high compensation, tech layoffs, and changing market conditions in 2025 are affecting skilled workers, especially those with international exposure or aspirations. The scope includes recent layoff trends, salary dynamics, recruiter behavior, and practical steps for affected workers. The analysis also considers broader immigration and labor market implications, offering actionable recommendations and highlighting key resources.

Methodology

This content draws on the latest quantitative data from industry trackers, news reports, and expert commentary as of June 2025. It uses a combination of:

• Statistical data from layoffs.fyi and other public sources to illustrate layoff trends and employment rates.
• Case study analysis of the individual with a ₹50 LPA package, reflecting broader patterns.
• Stakeholder perspectives from recruiters, industry analysts, and affected employees.
• Comparative review of salary expectations, hiring practices, and job search strategies.
• Policy and immigration context relevant to tech workers in the United States 🇺🇸 and India 🇮🇳.

Key Findings

• Tech layoffs remain high in 2025, with over 62,000 workers let go by mid-year, continuing a trend that began in late 2022.
• High previous salaries, such as ₹50 LPA, are now a barrier to reemployment, as companies prioritize cost control and are wary of candidates with expensive compensation histories.
• Recruiters often reject candidates with high past salaries, even if they are willing to accept lower pay, due to concerns about long-term fit and budget constraints.
• Affected workers face a dilemma: accept significant pay cuts or risk prolonged unemployment.
• No direct government policies address this salary mismatch, but broader economic and immigration factors play a role in shaping job prospects.
• Upskilling, networking, and flexibility are critical for laid-off workers seeking new roles in a competitive market.

Data Presentation

The following table summarizes key quantitative trends in the tech job market for 2024 and 2025:

Visual Description:
Imagine a line graph showing tech layoffs by quarter from 2022 to 2025. The line spikes sharply in early 2023, then gradually slopes downward but remains above pre-pandemic levels through 2025. A bar chart beside it shows the unemployment rate ticking up slightly in 2025, reflecting a tougher job market.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

• Salary Inflation and Correction:
  During the COVID-19 pandemic, tech startups—especially in the United States 🇺🇸—offered unusually high salaries to attract talent. The ₹50 LPA package, while impressive by Indian standards, became more common for skilled professionals working with US startups or remotely for international companies. However, as the tech bubble burst after 2022, these high salaries became unsustainable. Companies began cutting costs, leading to mass layoffs and a shift toward more conservative compensation.

• Recruiter Behavior:
  Recruiters and hiring managers now view candidates with high previous salaries as risky. They worry these candidates may not stay long if offered lower pay or may expect future raises that the company cannot afford. Even when candidates openly state they are willing to accept a pay cut, skepticism remains. This creates a catch-22: high earners are seen as overqualified or too expensive, while lower salary expectations are sometimes viewed as a red flag.

• Job Search Challenges:
  The man with the ₹50 LPA package, despite 8 years of consulting experience in SaaS/IT, finds himself “lost.” His story is not unique. Many skilled workers laid off from US startups or large tech firms face similar hurdles. The market now favors candidates with more modest salary histories or those willing to pivot to new roles, industries, or locations.

• Immigration and Visa Implications:
  While this particular case involves a worker laid off from a US startup but likely based in India 🇮🇳 or working remotely, the situation is even more complex for those on US work visas (such as H-1B). Layoffs can trigger strict timelines for finding new employment or risk losing legal status in the United States 🇺🇸. For more information on H-1B visa rules and timelines, readers can visit the official USCIS H-1B page.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

• High previous compensation is now a liability in the tech job market, especially for those laid off from US startups. Recruiters are cautious, and companies are focused on cost control.
• The tech sector remains volatile, with layoffs continuing into 2025, though at a slower pace than the peak in 2023.
• Affected workers must adapt by lowering salary expectations, reskilling, and using professional networks to find new opportunities.
• No immediate policy solutions exist for the salary mismatch problem, but broader economic and immigration trends will shape the market in the coming years.

Limitations

• The analysis is based on available data as of June 2025. Layoff numbers and unemployment rates may change as the year progresses.
• The case study focuses on a worker with a ₹50 LPA package, which may not reflect the experience of all tech professionals, especially those with different backgrounds or working in other regions.
• Immigration implications are discussed in general terms; individual circumstances may vary based on visa type, location, and employer policies.

Detailed Analysis

1. The Rise and Fall of High Tech Salaries

During the pandemic, tech companies—especially US startups—competed fiercely for talent. Many professionals in India 🇮🇳 and elsewhere secured remote roles with US startups, often at salaries far above local market rates. The ₹50 LPA package, once rare outside top-tier institutions or coding-heavy roles, became more common for those with in-demand skills.

However, as the digital transformation wave slowed and investment cooled, these high salaries became unsustainable. Startups faced funding crunches, and even large tech firms began to cut costs. The result: mass layoffs, with over 150,000 tech workers let go in 2024 and another 62,000 by mid-2025.

2. The Recruiter’s Dilemma

Recruiters and hiring managers are under pressure to control costs. When they see a candidate with a high previous salary, such as ₹50 LPA, they worry about several things:

• Will the candidate accept a much lower offer?
• Will they leave as soon as a better-paying job comes along?
• Will they expect rapid promotions or raises?

Even when candidates are open about taking a pay cut, recruiters may doubt their sincerity or worry about long-term fit. This leads to many high earners being screened out early in the process.

3. The Worker’s Perspective

For the laid-off worker, the situation is frustrating. Despite 8 years of consulting experience in SaaS/IT and a willingness to accept lower pay, he finds little interest from recruiters. He describes himself as “lost,” reflecting the emotional toll of prolonged unemployment and the mismatch between past achievements and current opportunities.

This experience is echoed by many others in the tech sector. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the human cost of the tech market correction is significant, with skilled professionals struggling to find roles that match their experience and expectations.

4. Broader Labor Market and Immigration Context

The tech sector’s volatility affects not just salaries but also immigration and visa dynamics. For workers on US visas, layoffs can trigger strict deadlines for finding new employment or risk losing legal status. While the man in this case appears to be based in India 🇮🇳 or working remotely, those physically present in the United States 🇺🇸 face additional hurdles.

The US government provides detailed information on work visa requirements and timelines, which can be found on the USCIS official website.

5. Practical Steps and Recommendations

For workers laid off from US startups or tech firms, especially those with high previous salaries, the following steps can improve job search outcomes:

• Be transparent but strategic about salary history. Consider omitting salary details from resumes and focusing on skills and achievements.
• Communicate flexibility. Clearly state willingness to accept lower compensation, but do so in a way that reassures recruiters about long-term commitment.
• Update skills. Invest in upskilling or reskilling, especially in high-demand areas like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.
• Leverage networks. Use LinkedIn, professional groups, and referrals to bypass automated filters that may screen out high earners.
• Consider contract or freelance roles. These can provide income and keep skills sharp while searching for a permanent position.
• Explore new sectors or roles. Be open to lateral moves or positions in emerging industries where skills may transfer.

6. Stakeholder Perspectives

• Recruiters: Prefer candidates whose compensation expectations align with company budgets. Risk aversion is high in the current market.
• Industry Analysts: View ongoing layoffs as a necessary correction after the unsustainable salary inflation of the pandemic years.
• Career Coaches: Advise candidates to tailor resumes to current market needs and avoid discussing salary too early in the process.
• Affected Workers: Express frustration and uncertainty, caught between past earnings and present realities.

7. Future Outlook

The tech job market is expected to stabilize over the next 1-2 years, but competition will remain intense. Salary normalization will continue, and companies may shift toward skills-based hiring rather than focusing on compensation history. Growth areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing offer new opportunities for those willing to adapt.

No immediate policy changes are expected to address the salary mismatch issue, but broader economic trends and tech investment patterns will influence hiring practices.

Additional Resources

• Layoffs.fyi: Real-time tracker of tech layoffs worldwide.
• USCIS H-1B Information: Official government page for visa holders.
• Career Advice Forums: Platforms like Reddit’s r/careeradvice offer peer support and practical tips.
• Professional Networks: LinkedIn and industry groups are essential for job searching and networking.

Conclusion

The story of the man with a ₹50 LPA package laid off from a US startup highlights a growing challenge in the 2025 tech job market. High previous salaries, once a mark of success, have become a barrier to reemployment as companies focus on cost control and risk management. Layoffs remain high, and affected workers must adapt by lowering salary expectations, updating skills, and using professional networks. While no direct policy solutions exist, understanding these trends and taking proactive steps can help skilled professionals navigate this difficult period and find new opportunities in a changing market.

Learn Today

₹50 LPA → Salary of 50 lakhs per annum, a high annual income in the Indian tech sector context.
Tech layoffs → Job terminations in technology companies often caused by market shifts or company cost cuts.
H-1B visa → US work visa allowing foreign nationals to work temporarily in specialty occupations.
Upskilling → Acquiring new or enhanced skills to improve job prospects and adapt to market demands.
Recruiter → A professional responsible for finding, screening, and hiring suitable candidates for jobs.

This Article in a Nutshell

A professional with a ₹50 LPA salary faces job market challenges due to tech layoffs in 2025. High previous salaries limit opportunities, forcing candidates to adapt through flexible pay expectations, upskilling, and networking amid ongoing industry volatility. Understanding these trends helps workers navigate a tough job environment successfully.
— By VisaVerge.com