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A software developer with 20 years of experience says he has spent nearly a year applying for jobs, updating his résumé and networking, yet not one offer has come through
His story struck a chord. (representational image)
Tech workers around the world have been speaking about layoffs and a slowing job market. One software developer from South Africa has now shared how difficult the search has become, even after spending more than two decades in the industry.
Nearly a year after losing his job, he says he has not managed to find another full-time role or even a short-term contract. His LinkedIn post has since struck a chord with professionals facing similar struggles.
A Year Without Work
Edward Whitehead, a software developer from South Africa’s Western Cape, shared on LinkedIn that it has been almost 12 months since he was laid off. During that time, he said he has not received a single job offer or contract despite his long career in technology.
“Today is a difficult day,” Whitehead wrote. “It’s been almost 12 months since I was laid off, and I haven’t secured a single job, not even a short-term contract.”
The software developer, who has more than 20 years of experience, admitted that there are moments when he feels like giving up. However, he said his wife and two children continue to motivate him to keep looking for work.
He Says He Has Tried Everything
Whitehead explained that he has spent the past year trying different ways to improve his chances of getting hired. He updated his résumé, changed the way he applied for jobs, reached out to people in his network and contacted professionals directly.
“At times, it feels like I’m banging my head against a wall, hoping for a different outcome,” he wrote. “The reality is that the results have been the same, despite trying countless approaches.”
Instead of waiting only for job offers, he also started building two software products of his own. He hopes one of them could eventually become a new opportunity.
“Maybe, just maybe, one of them will become the opportunity that changes everything,” he wrote. Along with software development, Whitehead said he has experience in technical leadership, product delivery and technology consulting.
Support Pours In From Professionals
His post received thousands of reactions from LinkedIn users, many of whom said they were going through similar situations. In a follow-up post, Whitehead thanked people for their encouragement and said the response had helped restore his faith after months of disappointment.
“I lost hope in humanity,” he wrote. “Then, two days ago, I shared a story, and the response has been overwhelming.” He added that he was reading every comment and message because each one meant something to him.
“To everyone who has reached out, shared my post, or offered words of encouragement, thank you. You have reminded me that there is still kindness in this world.”
Many Say The Job Market Is Difficult
Several professionals said Whitehead’s experience reflects what many skilled workers are facing today.
One LinkedIn user wrote that experienced candidates are often overlooked despite having strong backgrounds. “It seems like having a lot of experience is actually hurting many people in today’s job market,” the commenter wrote, adding that online applications often get lost among hundreds or even thousands of others.
Another person described today’s hiring process as “dehumanizing,” saying applicants face confusing expectations around AI-generated résumés and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Others shared their own stories of long job searches. One professional said it took around 18 months to find another job after being laid off and that they had to accept a major pay cut in a completely different field. “This market sucks and is in disarray,” the person wrote. “A lot of us are suffering from it,” he added.
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