Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Ex-Big Tech Workers Face Prolonged Unemployment After Layoffs
Four people who worked at famous technology companies lost their jobs.
They had earned high salaries and thought their careers would be stable.
After being laid off, finding new jobs was much harder than expected.
Brittney Ball said she applied for more than 8,000 jobs.
Jason Zhang was unemployed for three months after sending about 30 applications.
Sriram RamKrishna was still looking for work a year after his Intel business unit closed.
The workers used savings, changed spending plans or delayed major goals.
One family paid about $2,600 each month for health coverage after losing job-based insurance.
The experience led them to explore consulting, startups and personal brands instead of relying only on Big Tech employment.
Four former employees of Meta, Google, Microsoft and Intel described difficult job searches after layoffs.
Brittney Ball said she submitted more than 8,000 applications after losing her Meta job.
Jason Zhang remained unemployed for three months despite applying for roughly 30 positions.
Sriram RamKrishna was still searching for work a year after Intel shut down his business unit.
The layoffs caused financial strain, healthcare costs and changed plans, prompting the workers to consider consulting, startups and personal brands.
- Who
- Brittney Ball, Jason Zhang, Joe Friend and Sriram RamKrishna, former employees of Meta, Google, Microsoft and Intel.
- What
- They described prolonged unemployment, financial pressure and changed career plans after being laid off.
- When
- After their layoffs; RamKrishna said his Intel business unit shut down in July 2025 and that he was still searching a year later.
- Where
- The workers had been employed at Meta, Google, Microsoft and Intel; Ball plans to move from Washington, D.C., to Charlotte.
- Why
- Their roles were eliminated, or in RamKrishna’s case their entire business unit was shut down, forcing them to seek new work.
- People interviewed
- Four former employees of major technology companies spoke with Business Insider.
- Largest reported job search
- Brittney Ball said she submitted more than 8,000 applications.
- Jason Zhang’s search
- He remained unemployed for three months after applying for roughly 30 positions.
- Longest reported search
- Sriram RamKrishna said he was still looking for work one year after his layoff.
- Former employers
- Meta, Google, Microsoft and Intel.
- Healthcare cost
- Joe Friend said his family paid about $2,600 per month for medical coverage after losing employer insurance.
- Reported salaries
- The four workers reported annual earnings ranging from about $180,000 to $250,000 in base salary.
