The transition from a comfortable tech salary to financial uncertainty isn't just a storyline from your favorite sitcom—it's happening to real people right now. Clair Todd's story offers a sobering look at what extended unemployment can mean, even for skilled professionals in high-demand fields.
When the Safety Net Runs Out
After three years as a site reliability engineer at Oracle, Todd found herself among the many tech workers affected by the November 2023 layoffs. Like many others, she had severance pay and unemployment benefits—resources that seemed sufficient at the time. But nearly two years later, she's still searching for her next opportunity.
The financial toll has been staggering. Todd has depleted over $50,000 in savings while juggling a mortgage and $45,000 in student debt from her career transition into IT. Her monthly income has plummeted from $5,500 to roughly $500-$1,000, earned through reselling refurbished antiques—a creative solution born of necessity.
The Mid-Level Gap
Todd's struggle highlights a particular challenge in today's job market: the disappearing middle. While entry-level and senior positions continue to be posted, mid-level roles seem increasingly scarce. For professionals seeking remote work similar to what they had before, the options narrow even further.
The psychological impact is just as real as the financial strain. Constant rejections chip away at confidence and passion, transforming what was once an exciting career into a source of discouragement and self-doubt.
A Broader Pattern
Todd isn't alone in this experience. Current Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals that 1.9 million Americans have been unemployed for 27 weeks or longer, representing over a quarter of all unemployed individuals. With the overall unemployment rate at 4.4%, affecting 7.5 million people, the job market has shown little improvement in recent months.
The situation reflects what Indeed's 2026 Jobs & Hiring Trends Report describes as a "low-hire environment" coupled with a fundamental mismatch between available jobs and the workers seeking to fill them. For tech workers who assumed their skills would guarantee quick reemployment, this new reality comes as an unwelcome surprise.
Building a Better Safety Net
So what can workers do to protect themselves in this uncertain environment? The traditional advice to maintain three to six months of emergency savings may no longer be sufficient, especially in industries experiencing waves of layoffs.
Reassess Your Emergency Fund
If you've been putting off building your safety net, now is the time to prioritize it. Automating monthly transfers to a high-yield savings account ensures consistent progress without requiring constant attention. But don't stop at the conventional wisdom—consider whether you might need funds to sustain you for a year or more.
Develop Plan B Skills
Think about how your current skills could translate to other roles or industries. Could you pivot to a related field? Is there a service you could offer independently? Todd is launching a website-building business, turning her technical expertise into a potential income stream.
Start Before You Need It
If you're currently employed but concerned about your industry's stability, consider starting a side venture now. Not only could it supplement your emergency fund, but it also provides a psychological buffer—knowing you have options can reduce the anxiety that comes with economic uncertainty.
The Takeaway
The labor market's unpredictability means that even highly skilled professionals in sought-after fields can find themselves facing extended unemployment. While this reality may feel discouraging, preparation and flexibility can make a significant difference. Whether through enhanced savings, skill diversification, or entrepreneurial ventures, building multiple safety nets may be the wisest approach to navigating today's uncertain employment landscape.
The key is to start planning before you need it—because as Todd's experience shows, when you're already in crisis mode, your options become much more limited.