Two Years After Oracle Layoff, I'm Still Jobless and Selling Antiques to Survive

It's been over two years since I lost my position at Oracle, yet I remain without employment. To sustain myself, I've turned to selling antiques.

My career at Oracle began in January 2020, fulfilling the role of a site reliability engineer. By November 2023, unsettling news started circulating: colleagues were being laid off via Zoom. I hoped to avoid the same fate, yet my whole team found ourselves in the same situation.

Initially, I delayed my job hunt, relying on severance pay and recognizing the difficulty of securing a tech job over the holiday period. Reflecting on my career goals consumed the time until February 2024, when I embarked on a serious job search.

Financial Strain Post-Layoff

Severance and unemployment benefits sustained me initially, together with my savings. Unfortunately, my savings dwindled—exceeding $50,000—and financial pressures mounted.

Now, I make $500 to $1,000 monthly refurbishing and selling antiques, a stark contrast to the $5,500 I earned at Oracle. Student loans totaling $45,000, alongside my mortgage, further strain my finances, prompting me to dip into savings and sell stocks.

Experiencing a malfunction in my washer and dryer last year highlighted the financial crunch, compelling me to buy replacements on installment—a first for me.

Rethinking My Tech Career Move

In my 30s, I pursued a bachelor's degree in IT to transition from sales and customer service, aiming for a more lucrative career and eventual homeownership. My family, deeply rooted in tech, inspired this shift.

After obtaining my degree in 2018, I secured a software engineering position that later transitioned into a quality assurance engineering role at a firm, necessitating long commutes. By 2019's end, I joined Oracle in a remote role due to an employee's recommendation.

The tech industry transition helped me purchase my first house, but recent challenges have made me question its value.

Navigating a Harsh Job Market

My job search targets middle-tier positions, yet openings often cater to vastly different experience levels. Additionally, I've sought remote roles given a health issue that limits my ability to commute.

I've faced multiple rejections, with interview processes resembling game shows due to their trivia-like questions, not directly related to job functions.

Aware that tech layoffs are common, I had amassed a savings buffer, but it has significantly diminished.

Venturing into Entrepreneurship

A few months back, I paused my active job search to develop a web development business to offset the pressures of job rejections.

This venture isn't profitable yet, so I maintain antique sales. I remain hopeful of returning to tech, but the overall job search experience has been disheartening.

A New Perspective on Future Careers

Pursuing jobs at smaller companies felt more personalized, offering feedback during the application process.

If I re-engage with the job market, focusing on smaller firms might be preferable to corporate giants.