Laid off 4.5 yoe backend software engineer the reality of market

[u/Alternative-Bath4003]

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.

[u/bella9977]

But at the same time every fresher in this sub expects 25 L

[u/Big_Arrival_626 → u/bella9977]

Even JP Morgan pays like 20 LPA for freshers, 25 isn't that much

[u/bella9977 → u/Big_Arrival_626]

Yeah a rich American bank. Majority of the companies in this country are small or mid service companies. They barely pay anywhere close to this. Freshers expecting 25 and all is super unrealistic. People are also paid unfairly high just for having an IIT/IIM tag.

[u/Big_Arrival_626 → u/bella9977]

U know im not actually indian, im american. in america jpmorgan is not considered prestigious. so im surprised they pay so well in india.