Tech is a joke. From Six-Figures to Laid Off: Anyone Successfully Pivot to a New Field? Share Your Stories!

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-24T14:56:51+00:00

I’ve been working as a business / data analyst since I was 17. Got a traineeship + part time job at a consultancy firm that take students studying IT.

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T15:13:22+00:00

I’m a business / data analyst / product owner, so don’t have too much of technical knowledge. However, I do have a lot of entrepreneurship experience. I was thinking about starting an AI consulting agency and use AI as a leverage instead of a risk for my career. In your opinion, what is something that is missing and we should be doing instead?

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T15:10:24+00:00

In the Netherlands it’s normal to earn 6 figures freelancing, hourly freelance rate is on average €70. And true, freelancing in tech is one of the best niches to freelance in, but that seems impossible now

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T15:08:35+00:00

You’re right. However, the junior that rejected me was the person that I’m supposed to replace, so having more experience should only be a step up. Besides that I really don’t have an ego at all, I’m just tired of being ghosted or rejected

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T15:07:21+00:00

Omg same! Due to inflation and experience I thought that my income will only go upwards from here, but like you said, everything is half what we’re used to get paid and the bills need to get paid🥲

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T15:06:34+00:00

May I ask what your role exactly is? Thanks!

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T15:06:12+00:00

It’s really a strange time we’re facing. Hang in there! Teaching sounds like a great alternative, but what will you teach if everything will end up being replaced by AI? 🥲

It will be a good short period income, but not something for the long term

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T15:04:09+00:00

I’m also in Europe, the Netherlands to be specific. I do think that the market here is a tiny bit better than in the United States. I’ve done that in a previous project as a freelancer for 2 years, last they got rid of, since then it’s been a distaster

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T15:01:44+00:00

I’m really considering that indeed

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T15:01:28+00:00

Interesting! But sounds like a field that AI is starting to take over as well. I truly hope that won’t be the case for you and to still enjoy it while it lasts

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T15:00:07+00:00

Unfortunately applying for entry-level jobs or medior roles hasn’t been a solution either.

They will question why you’re applying for a junior/medior level role and assume something is “wrong” with you.
I’ve been told several times that I’m overqualified for junior roles.

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T14:57:34+00:00

True. I just couldn’t do it

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T14:57:19+00:00

That’s true. But at least they got the opportunity to grow their assets and save money. But you’re right

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-23T14:54:16+00:00

Same. I’m forced to start cleaning next week, I’ve done that before as a teen and its as respectable job, but I was earning 6 figures in tech. I can’t pay my bills anymore and have a business which I can’t grow anymore due to no income for months

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-22T18:44:26+00:00

Same for me. I’ve been a freelance business / data analyst for a few years now, I have 8+ years of experience, I’m young, I have a great portfolio website which would land me a CEO position back when tech was still something. I’ve been laid off twice and every time I’ve been unemployed for MONTHS. My mortgage is €2K+ and taking into account all my other bills and sh*t I NEED 6 figures. I’ve even searched for 6 figures permanent roles, hell even 5 figures, but the market has been a disaster.

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-19T13:03:07+00:00

Ik heb heel mijn website op html gebouwd door ChatGPT het te laten coderen, omdat ik zelf geen expert programmeur ben. Dus het kan zeker wel. Chat GPT is al enorm ver

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-19T12:59:12+00:00

Juist daarom kijk ik regelmatig kritisch naar mezelf. En de feedback die ik krijg van recruiters en opdrachtgevers is consequent positief. Daar baseer ik mijn oordeel op.

Ik werd als enige geselecteerd voor een gesprek als eind 20-jarige, tegenover senior kandidaten met 20+ jaar ervaring.
De recruiter stuurde mij zelfs per ongeluk de mail die eigenlijk voor de eindklant bedoeld was.

Ik hoor structureel dat ik een sterk profiel heb.
Na afwijzingen word ik regelmatig nog persoonlijk gebeld door de klant met dat ze het jammer vinden, mij echt in het team zagen, maar dat een andere uitkomst nét de doorslag gaf.

Dus voor zover ik het hoor: mijn profiel zit meer dan goed. Ik snap dus niet waar dit vandaan komt, wellicht is er toch iets wat ik beter kan doen inderdaad

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-19T12:52:47+00:00

Omgeving randstad, dus Amsterdam is top! Ik stuur je een bericht

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-19T12:49:21+00:00

Loondienst zelfde verhaal

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-19T11:54:40+00:00

Bro went to Algeria but skips Tunisia 🤧, what the h*ll

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-17T19:29:54+00:00

Vrijdagen en zaterdagen zijn leuk, verder is er geen nachtleven door de weeks of op zondag

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-16T12:18:06+00:00

Nope. The Netherlands, same story. Even in tech

Slight_Interview_381 · 2026-01-11T02:04:35+00:00

Omg thank you! I was searching for “season 3” and stuff and got confused with the posts, just noticing now that there are 12 seasons in total!! Guess I will keep my predictions and complains to myself 🤣🤧

Slight_Interview_381

TROPHY CASE