In early 2025, more than 50,000 tech jobs have vanished globally, as companies tighten budgets, adopt artificial intelligence at scale, and scale down operations. Major firms like Microsoft, Meta, CrowdStrike, and Block have led this wave of layoffs, shaking up the global workforce. Among the hardest hit are Indian professionals on H-1B visas in the U.S., many of whom now face an uncertain future amid shrinking job opportunities and visa deadlines.
In the midst of this upheaval, a recent graduate on an F-1 visa took to social media to express growing frustration with the job search. “I am a F1 student just recently graduated from MS in CS,” the user wrote. “I have been applying for jobs since December. I have crossed more than 2000 job applications, but I haven’t received a single interview yet. Am I doing something wrong? What should I do?”
The post, echoing the sentiment of many struggling newcomers, quickly gained traction online, drawing both empathy and practical advice from other professionals navigating the same stormy waters.
“You’re not alone,” one commenter responded, “but yes, something is definitely wrong if you’ve applied to 2000+ jobs and haven’t received a single interview. The job market is hard, but it’s not that hard. If you’re getting zero callbacks, the problem is not the market—it’s your strategy.”
Another user reflected on a similar journey: “Before realization: I was in your boat. 1000+ job applications. Just hit apply and focused on quantity. After realization: focused on quality, tailored my resume, wrote cover letters, and applied to only 3 to 5 roles a day. It made all the difference.”
Others encouraged alternative paths. “Try starting your own startup and then apply to startup accelerators,” one suggested. Meanwhile, a more disillusioned voice chimed in with a stark warning: “No, there is nothing you’re doing wrong. I was on OPT from June 2024 to Jan 2025. Laid off and back to my home country now. I have a first-world education, no accent, a master’s from Canada, and three years of work experience. The market is just shit. CS is a scam degree that’s being outsourced or eliminated by AI.”