"I thought I was doing everything right," he said, staring at his severance letter in disbelief. "How could they do this to me?"
If you're in the software industry, you've probably heard something similar from a friend or colleague.
Layoffs appear to occur in waves within companies, resulting in a surge of anger, shock, and confusion.
But while some get hit out of the blue, others miss the subtle signs. They stay on autopilot, feeling entitled to their jobs, hikes, and promotions. They don't look inward to ask what they could have done differently.
They ignore the signs until it's too late.
I am here to tell why people's jobs don't "just disappear" overnight—here’s what they miss along the way.
1. The Wake-Up Call You Snoozed On
I'll start with a story from my early career days in the very first company.
I had a senior colleague who was the go-to guy for everything. He was established, trusted, and had tenure on his side.
But over time, he got comfortable.
Instead of keeping himself up-to-date, he leaned back heavily on the knowledge he'd built over the years, thinking that was enough.
And then, quietly, the work started shifting to other developers.
At first, he didn’t mind; he thought he was escaping from the menial work. What he missed was that others were stepping up and gaining ground while he stood still.
Managers and clients gradually moved more tasks away from him, and his relevance in the team declined. Eventually, he became irrelevant, dragging along without growth until the day came when the company let him go.
Here's the hard truth
Subtle signals like this don’t mean you’re above the board or getting reserved only for critical work.
They’re usually signs that you’re becoming an option. If you’re not alert to these shifts, you might find yourself surprised when the role you once thought was yours fades away.
2. It's Not Just About Showing Up—It's About Growing Up
In tech, tenure alone doesn't shield you from becoming obsolete. My senior colleague had every opportunity to stay relevant, but he relied on history rather than focusing on the future.
And that's where things went wrong.
Just "showing up" isn't enough if you're coasting, expecting your past contributions to carry you forward.
Here's the hard truth
We're in an industry that changes every few months. Today's "big win" could be tomorrow's outdated approach. To keep yourself relevant, you have to grow with your role, keep learning, and stay tuned into where the company is heading.
Tenure can give you a head start, but it's not going to keep you in the race unless you're constantly adapting.
And let's face it—companies are moving faster than ever.
3. Promotion, Salary, Security—It's Not a Package Deal
I've always taken my salary seriously. And here's why.
I don't think I get paid just because I have got the job. I get paid because of the contribution I make.
If I stop contributing, I know that paycheck could easily go away.
This mindset keeps me grounded.
Yes, I'm passionate about my work, but I also have responsibilities—to myself and my family.
Blaming the company or managers if things go south? That's sort of victim mentality I don't buy into. As an adult, I believe it's my responsibility to manage my career.
Here's the hard truth
If you're thinking, "I deserve a promotion" or "I'm entitled to a raise," ask yourself what you're doing to earn it.
Promotions and salary increases don't come with tenure—they come with consistent contributions. The sooner you recognize this, the more prepared you are to protect your place in the company.
Certainly, you can't always control what happens around you. But you can control the value you bring to the table.
4. Entitlement Vs. Ownership
Some people take their roles, salaries, and promotions for granted. They feel they deserve opportunities simply because they've been around long enough.
But here's the thing—entitlement is the opposite of ownership.
Tenure doesn't equal value. What's valuable is how you've grown, adapted, and contributed to the company's goals.
Here's the hard truth
If you're serious about job security, don't just wait for someone to reward you.
Take ownership.
Go out of your way to stay updated on new skills, ask for feedback, volunteer for challenging projects, and stay engaged with the company's direction.
If you don't, others will.
And when the time comes, the ones who took ownership will have made themselves indispensable. They're the ones who will survive the cuts, not the ones who were just coasting on entitlement.
Wrapping Up - Avoid Layoffs
Look, the software industry is unpredictable, and nobody's immune to change. But if you want to feel secure in your job, start by securing yourself.
Don't wait until you're forced to make a change. Take responsibility. Stay sharp, keep learning, and make yourself irreplaceable.
So here's my advice —don't snooze on the wake-up calls, don't rely on tenure, and don't blame others if things go sideways. The choice is yours—embrace growth, take ownership, and make sure that if you're ever let go, it's because there was truly no other choice.
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