Survived and got 2 hours of sleep. Now wide awake: thinking about colleagues let go today, how long I have until I’m in their position, and what questions I need to ask over the next few weeks to determine if I have anywhere between 3-12 months of runway.
They let go a lot of good people today, some with decades at Oracle, to some with only a few months and no time to prove their worth. Having been through multiple layoffs and downturns, I understand that no one is safe, and this RIF strongly underscores that narrative. There was little logic, just unlucky cuts.
From people RIFd earlier this year at oracle and other companies, they’re finding a brutal market with a lot of hiring freezes at bigger tech companies and slim prospects at startups given the funding retrenchment and pending downturn. I’m thankful to have a head start, but fearing this same market response which seems to be getting worse by the week.
I’m just glad I was given a bit more time, but my prospects are quite precarious. Also one of those with less than a year of O on the resume, which one isn’t a good look vs my competition, usually a red flag. Dreading the “skeleton crew” work ahead, but hoping I can clear enough time away from that to find a new job, because I know how this ends.