The wave of layoffs that shook the global job market in 2023 has not slowed down in 2025. Big names across industries have continued to announce workforce restructuring, affecting thousands of professionals at various levels. Layoffs.fyi reported more than 263,000 tech workers had lost their jobs as of 2024. It is higher than the sum amount in 2022 and 2023. The wave has swept far beyond Silicon Valley into edtech, fintech, e-commerce, manufacturing, and even consulting markets.
Indian giants had also shed thousands of their employees. To be exact, over 25,000 jobs have been lost in India within the tech and startup industries in 2023-24, and the journey is far from over. And here’s the shocking part: most of those laid off were not poor performers. They were developers, product managers, data analysts, and designers who had done everything right, with degrees, upskilling, long hours, and top appraisals.
So the big question is: Are skills enough to protect your job anymore?
The answer: Skills matter, but only if they are the right ones, used in the right way, in the right industry
Also Read:
Why Layoffs Are Not About You Anymore
Gone are the days when underperformance was the top reason for job loss. Today, layoffs are strategic decisions driven by:
1. AI & Automation
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According to a 2023 McKinsey report, globally, up to 30 per cent of work hours may be automated by 2030 with the help of AI.
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Roles in customer service, data entry, and even junior coding are already seeing displacement.
2. Cost Optimisation
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The firms are cutting expenses by forming smaller teams and outsourcing to lower-cost markets.
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In India, 83% of CEOs reported plans to reduce their headcount over the next 12 to 18 months (PwC CEO Survey 2024).
3. Changing Business Models
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Startups are shifting from “growth at all costs” to “profitability-first.”
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This shift led to mass layoffs in companies such as Swiggy, Unacademy, Meesho, and Zomato.
Are Any Jobs Really Safe?
Not completely. Nevertheless, many jobs are more future-proof because they are in high demand, require complex skills, and cannot be easily automated.
Let us look at the most resilient fields in 2025 and beyond:
1. Healthcare & Allied Services
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The WHO estimates that there will be 10 million health workers short worldwide by 2030.
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The healthcare sector in India and the world in general is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 22 per cent until 2032 (IBEF, 2024).
2. Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
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It is estimated that USD 10.5 trillion will be lost annually to cybercrime by 2025 (Cybersecurity Ventures).
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By 2030, there will be a 30 per cent per annum increase in demand for cybersecurity experts in India (NASSCOM).
3. AI & Data-Centric Roles
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The number of jobs in AI is currently growing, and is projected to grow by over 50% in the years till 2026, with job opportunities in NLP, LLM, and ML Ops fields dominating the list (Gartner).
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Positions such as data engineers, prompt engineers, and AI policy researchers are highly sought after.
4.Green Energy & Sustainability
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By 2030, India plans to meet 50 per cent of its power demand through renewable sources (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy).
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Jobs in EV technology, solar energy, carbon auditing, and ESG compliance are rising rapidly.
5.Digital Education & Upskilling
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It is estimated that the world market for edtech will exceed USD 404 billion by 2025.
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Roles in curriculum design, online tutoring, instructional design, and edu-influencing are expanding.
Skills Alone Will Not Save You, Unless They Are Paired with Strategy
Most professionals fall into the certification trap, where they accumulate badges and courses without a clear idea of what they are collecting. But skills are no longer the only consideration of recruiters. They want:
✅ Proof of Application
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Do you have a portfolio, GitHub, blog, or published work?
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76% of recruiters said they prioritise candidates who show project experience over course completions (LinkedIn Talent Trends 2024).
✅ Adaptability Over Tenure
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Most recently, the average job tenure in India in 2023 was 1.9 years (LinkedIn India Workforce Report).
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Hiring managers prefer to hire individuals who can shift gears quickly, upskill rapidly, and stay relevant during transition periods.
✅ Soft Skills Are Hard Currency
According to the Future of Jobs Report 2023, developed by the World Economic Forum, five of the most in-demand skills in 2025 are:
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Analytical Thinking: Ability to assess complex situations, interpret data, and make informed decisions logically.
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Creative Problem Solving: Applying innovative approaches to overcome challenges and generate practical solutions.
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Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility: Adapting quickly to change and bouncing back from setbacks while staying productive.
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Tech Literacy: Understanding and effectively using modern digital tools, platforms, and technologies.
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Communication: Clearly conveying ideas, actively listening, and collaborating effectively across teams and roles.
These can be moved between positions and are more challenging to robotise or outsource.
So, How Do You Future-Proof Your Career?
Here is a 5-step blueprint to make yourself layoff-resilient:
1. Track Your Industry’s Direction
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Use tools like Google Trends, Gartner Reports, and NASSCOM insights to analyse your industry.
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Ask: Is this sector growing? Are new jobs being created or eliminated?
📌 Pro Tip: Follow layoffs.fyi and TeamBlind for early warning signals in your field.
2. Get Visible, Not Just Skilled
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Show up publicly by sharing on LinkedIn, creating side projects, micro-courses, and participating in speaking events within the community.
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It is reported that 85 per cent of the hiring managers have resorted to screening recruits through LinkedIn profiles even before they start interviewing their prospective employees.
3.Upskill with Context, Not FOMO
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Focus on skills aligned with business problems, not popularity.
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Go deep rather than wide. For instance:
Rather than starting by learning Python, then, do something specific: construct a retail price prediction model in Python.
4. Traders should diversify their income (wisely).
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Freelance, consult, teach or create your digital product with your skills.
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Freelancing in India is expected to continue expanding to USD 25 billion by 2030 (Boston Consulting Group).
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It is no longer a backup; it is career insurance.
5. Build Career Capital, Not Just a Resume
Career capital = rare & valuable skills + strong network + visible results.
Start now:
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Mentor juniors in your company or online.
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Attend domain-specific webinars.
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Reach out to ex-managers or professors to stay in touch.
You never know which connection could lead to your next job.
Rethinking the Resume: It Is a Story, Not a Checklist
Your resume must not only list what you have accomplished, but it must also give an account of what you are becoming.
Think beyond job titles:
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Have you been in charge during chaos?
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Did you pivot your role after a disruption?
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Have you created impact across teams or customers?
That story is far more powerful than a list of certifications.
Certifications That Give You an Edge in an Overcrowded Market
Final Thoughts: Standing Out is No Longer Optional
The job market in 2025 is not only competitive but also unpredictable. Layoffs are no longer based solely on performance, and job security is no longer guaranteed by tenure or qualifications alone. In this changing landscape, the people who survive and thrive are not necessarily the smartest or the most experienced. They are the most adaptable, visible, and strategically skilled. If you want to stand out, it is not just about having more skills, but about choosing the right ones, applying them visibly, and building long-term career capital that no algorithm or restructuring can replace.
To stand out and stay secure, focus on:
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Selecting resilient sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, green energy, healthcare and education.
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Learning skills that solve real-world business problems, not just popular trends.
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Building a visible proof of work through blogs, portfolios, or online content.
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Developing soft skills like adaptability, critical thinking, and leadership.
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Creating a secondary income stream to reduce dependency on one job.
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Networking intentionally, beyond job applications.
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Thinking beyond roles and titles, focus on long-term career strategy.
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Book Free Online CounsellingManavta Journalism / Content writing / Copywriting
With a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication and over six years of hands-on experience across journalism, PR, and content creation, Manavta Kaundinya brings both academic rigour and industry insight to her writing. At LR, she works on blogs, emailers, social platforms, editorial updates, educational campaigns and outreach initiatives. She is an enthusiastic person eager to help learners make informed choices aligning with their goals.
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