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Last week, Microsoft laid off 6,000 employees—3 percent of its workforce—bringing the number of tech employees that have already been laid off in 2025 to nearly 60,000, according to layoffs.fyi. In a future edition we’ll consider the role AI is playing in this, and how software engineers should safeguard against ever-smarter LLMs. But for now, I want to share my top recommendation if you’ve been laid off.
I just spoke to a mid-level engineer who was laid off from a Big Tech company in London. They were understandably distraught and feeling demoralized.
The most effective advice I have is quite simple: You need to identify your advantages and exploit them.
Once you do some reflection, you’ll be able to identify a long list of people, resources, or opportunities that you have unique access to. The questions to ask yourself:
The “spray-and-pray” approach for job applications is not only depressing but also ineffective. Please don’t waste your time applying to random jobs on LinkedIn or Indeed. Instead, follow the template established by people with the most enviable careers: find positions where you have an “in.”
Too many engineers identify a buzzy company and use the standard approaches in trying to land a job. In an age where the market is flooded with job seekers, there is too much competition for this to be effective. Instead, work forward from unique advantages and promising situations.
—Rahul
Amid widespread funding cuts to many U.S. agencies, humanities research grants are being slashed. Historian and IEEE Spectrum contributor Allison Marsh explains how engineering is, and always has been entwined with the humanities. “The bygone engineers of the 20th century recognized this strong bond to the humanities,” Marsh writes.
How can busy engineers achieve a work-life balance? The key to managing your career and personal life may actually lie in reframing the question. “Stop viewing work and life as opposites and start recognizing how they complement each other.” A few simple strategies can help engineers with this common challenge.
In late February, Broadcom cofounder Henry Samueli received the 2025 IEEE Medal of Honor for his pioneering work in broadband communication and networking technology. Read about his career in this profile from Spectrum senior editor emeritus Tekla Perry.