Designers Anxious AI Will Replace Them
Designers are experiencing widespread job insecurity due to the perceived threat of AI automation. This fear is compounded by repeated layoffs within their industry and a concern that future job prospects will be similarly impacted. The shared anxiety revolves around the potential obsolescence of their skills and the uncertainty of their career paths.
SOURCES (60)
“They did you a favor letting you know now. September has seen an uptick in new jobs and it's a very good time to be interviewing. Focus on what's to come and don't feel obligated to stay until the end November and December are terrible…”
“They might be hoping you'll find a new job and go away sooner so they can not replace you and start saving and reallocating the money sooner?”
“I've been at my current job for 7+ years. Was just notified today that my contract will not be renewed and ends by November. While I appreciate them telling me this early, I'm at a lost of words as I haven't navigated job hunting and interviews since ages ago. I am also guilty of not staying on top of all the new tech as much as I should. Finally looked at my resume earlier and holy jeez I need an update. I'm looking for direction, maybe some advice or info to help me cope. Lucki”
“Hi! Apologies in advance for the long post and rambling here, I've been going through it for the past week 😔 I got laid off Friday morning due to "reduction in workforce." I truly liked my job and boss who I worked closely with, and could tell he was having a hard time getting through the layoff script. It would have been 2 years in October. This is the first time I've ever been laid off and am grateful for getting 2 months severance. I'm just not sure what to do”
“What I wished I'd done before being largely unemployed for years is having gotten into a PM track where I was last working FT so I had another option before all this went down. Do not leave that job until you have another one. Maybe try to work into another at-company track if you can if you're fed up with the development side of things.”
“I’m looking for some perspective from people who have been in a similar situation. I’ve worked my ass off for the past six years at my company and have worked my way into a high-level director position. About six months ago, the company was purchased by a private investment group. Fortunately, job security isn’t really a concern. They need our leadership team to keep things running, and they’ve actually increased my pay, bonuses, and accommodated several requests I’ve made. The frustrating part”
“I'm in a really tough spot and hoping someone has advice. My company just announced a restructuring. They said my current role is being eliminated but offered me a 'new' position. The catch is it's the exact same job but with a 15% pay cut. I've been with them for five years and have consistently exceeded expectations. This feels like a slap in the face. They're basically saying 'take less money or you're out'. I don't know what to do. I have bills to pay”
“I have two questions, I was hoping I could get some feedback! I recently got laid off from my job. I know that I have to inform IRCC about this, but should I be worried about a rejection? I submitted my application on 1st may and recently submitted some updated docs about my current job with updated employment letter and bank statements. Should I include anything specific apart from my termination letter in my webform? After submitting my application, I took up a side hustle( along with my full”
“They have no idea. It's all so new and it's changing constantly. It's being forced onto everyone because shareholders are demanding it. They believe the sales pitch but don't know anything beyond that. Just do whatever they are telling you this week so you can keep your job. There is no really logic behind it other then that so don't bother thinking about it.”
“Knowing how to do a job =/= knowing how to run a business. Most people make that mistake. What you're doing is learning an entire new skillset. That's why it feels overwhelming & uncertain. In your mind you're thinking "I'm going to do what I'm already good at, just for myself" but what you're actually doing is switching career paths entirely, just within a familiar field. Imagine if you had left marketing to become a plumber. How long would it take you to f”
“***cleaned up with AI for easier reading*** After 15 years at my company, I'm in a situation I never thought I’d be in. I could really use some outside perspective—especially regarding a pending internal interview. Background & The Forced Move 15 Years Tenure: Started in IT, moved to Finance 3 years ago without a background in the field. I worked hard, learned the role, and became the "go-to" guy with great performance ratings. The "Loaner" Trap: During year-end crunc”
“I was working for large companies for 18 years, laid off recently, and now I'm trying to do something on my own (mine hasn't taken off yet). So I don't agree that a job is the safe option. In the last 2-3 years there were a few rounds of layoffs at my last company alone. I have seen many people from different companies going through the same in the last two years. A job is like one client that pays 100% of your income and can end it any time. Your recurring revenue is not that high r”
“I abruptly lost my job due to a canceled contract, I had no clue that my last day was my last day. Anyway, my information was sent to other companies and I’ve been on a few virtual and in person interviews. Even though I haven’t interviewed in seven years and am a bit rusty, these interviews seemed to go exceptionally well. I really hit it off with the interviewers, answered their questions in a satisfactory manner and asked them compelling, thought provoking questions as well. I’m kind of used”
“i think it's best to expand your options and look for other job opportunities, rather than waiting to hear from this current one.....this will really help so at the long run you won't be strabded.”
“My new job starts 1.5 months from now and my current one decided to let me go earlier than I thought. Of course I have plans to travel and play video games and meet friends but idk if I can fill 1.5 months with that. Maybe 3-4 weeks max before I get bored. I don’t even feel like working on any side projects because my company was paying for my Claude subscription which is now revoked (I am in no mood to code without AI). submitted by /u/HexadecimalCowboy [link] [comments]”
“I’ve had two roles for the past couple months. My goal was to try and hang on to job1 just long enough to capture a sizable 401k vesting before leaving. The requirements have now been met regarding the 401k vesting schedule. The two jobs situation is not tenable long term. They are both sales engineering roles, one software one hardware, not competitors. Job1 is unusually low effort. Remote, camera off, minimal meetings, minimal travel. Job2 is pretty intense. Still remote, but camera on, heavy”
“I'm currently looking at anywhere from a 30-60% total compensation cut for most roles I'm interviewing for. I was fairly high paid prior to my exit so kind of expected a hit but wasn't expecting it to be this bad. It's also frustrating going through 5+ stages for a job that pays 50% of what I was at before. I get anything can technically be considered better than nothing but luckily have savings to hold me over. I'm struggling with balancing voluntarily accepting a bad opport”
“Requirements change for jobs when contracting. Unfortunately you were impacted. If the company tired to fight for you they did you right. It’s a loss for them as well.”
“A lot of big tech, MSFT included, continue you on the payroll for 2 months so that WARN notice (requirement for companies to issue layoff notice 2 months prior to sever date) triggers the same day as the layoff and thus employees aren’t tipped off that a layoff is coming. Following that period you get the remaining lump sum.”
“Hi all. I was serving as a VP in a recent role which regrettably, was eliminated. I was a solid performer while there, receiving very favorable reviews both formally during annual review periods and informally during weekly and monthly one-on-one, etc. My question is, I was offered what I feel is a thin package given my role in the organization. It's not about the title or ego or anything like that, but at my level, placing the next opportunity can take longer especially at this time of year”
“First layoff is always hard. It's jarring and I'm sorry it happened to you. Give yourself a week to breathe before you jump into the job search. Remember that they eliminated your role, they didn't eliminate you. This kind of turbulence is unfortunately what the industry is poised to look like for the foreseeable future. Good luck”
“It’s bad luck to get canned so quickly into a new job, but every job I’ve had in the last 14 years has ended in a layoff. So it’s not entirely without precedent. Worst case I’ve heard of is a friend who interviewed at Spotify, accepted an offer, resigned from old job, then got offer rescinded the night before his first day.”
“Back in November, our senior operations manager abruptly resigned. Instead of posting the job opening, my director pulled me into a private huddle and told me this was my moment to "step up, show leadership, and prove I can operate at the senior band". i spent the last eight months working fifty-hour weeks. I managed all client logistics accounts, took over her direct reports, and handled our regional budget spreadsheets on top of my own daily workload. Our quarterly performance metric”
I’d prepare to lose the job. I’m not sure what you expected to happen.
“I am in tech. I got laid off yesterday after working for 4 year with different teams. Last month i pulled my shit up again and worked more than 12 hours a day and this month they decided to let me go. This was my first job. I really don't know what to do now. People around me are being kind and helpful, they are asking their contacts to refer me. But i have no confidence in me. I feel i have lost it. I don't think i will be able to crack into industry again. I had so many plans and respo”
“I was laid off at the end of June. AI took over the client retention work my role was built around, so my position got made redundant. This was my first real job, my first company after entering the working world, and I was there for almost two years. The pay was genuinely great. It covered my bills, food, rent, any medical costs I needed to handle, and still left room for a bit of leisure on top. Since losing it, my life has felt like it's been sliding downhill. Since then I've been hun”
“Hey there - interesting idea. Some thoughts: First, you need to answer the question of whether, if your employer said no, you'd quit. If not, then the first order of business is seeing if they would move you to a contractor, save themselves some money, and free up some time for you to go hunting. Second, I would work your network, friends/family at different, relevant companies. Just ask for advice on what they would pay for, and how much, if anything. After that, I would have claude/chatgpt”
“This is surreal. After 11 months of looking from a lay off I finally got a contract position. Well, 1.5 months into the contract the client cancelled the project. I was presented with 2 choices: move to Chicago for a different project (no rate change or assistance with the move since I'm a contractor) or they'll let me go. So, back to the job search. What a sick fucking joke. submitted by /u/Benevolent_Bacon22 [link] [comments]”
“Got laid off a few weeks ago. Then just earlier, saw the CEO of my old company post on linkedin, something along the lines of: "I'm putting new business on pause.... So we're taking a breath. Fixing the scaffolding. Making AI stuff- hehe. Ensuring the team that got us here has what it needs to keep doing the work worth being proud of." damn submitted by /u/babushcate [link] [comments]”
“4 months back my organisation informed us about the structured layoff. We still have time to get our last dates, but I decided to look out for the next opportunity. I have given 10 interviews and below is the status of them. 1) Co 1 client X - terrible interview 2) Public Accounting firm - 1 round went well but never selected 3) Sports utility co - went till last round and then rejected 4) Co 1 client y - they liked me but no roles for a qtr 5) Co 2 - declined post telephonic round 6) Co 3 - wen”
“Just curious because the thought has been tempting me in the one-on-one meetings I’ve had recently. I have been with my current employer for 7 years now. I’m currently in project management, I’m a high performer, stable track record of successes & promotions. I get results! With that being said, I am over worked & burnt out tremendously. Our team has been understaffed for a long while now because turnover at my job is nearly 100%. Regardless of how things progress, I am on my way out. As”
“Hey everyone. Long story short, I’m currently getting pipped at my company. $130K OTE (50/50) split. I do miss my previous employer since I was EXCELLENT at the job and still keep a lot of good connections. However, I’d have to drop my income again down to less than 60K OTE to build my book or business again. After 3-4 years, my income would return to my current level and I would be fully remote. After that, sky’s the limit. When would a (substantial) drop in income make sense? submitted b”
“The anxiety makes sense, but you've got a stable contract that's lasted 1.5 years, which already puts you ahead of plenty of devs right now. Instead of worrying about the layoff that hasn't happened, use this time to diversify while you still have income coming in. One client is a risk, so start treating your off-hours like a pipeline: reach out to old clients, ask for referrals, update your portfolio with the work you've done recently. On the SaaS side, marketing is usually wher”
“I’m a web dev with 5+ yoe, working on contract right now and have been working with the same client since 1.5years now. Sometimes I feel scared as to what if I am laid off, based on current condition of tech industry it’s going to be really hard to find next opportunity. Earlier I used to get many client projects but it’s a ghost town since AI went mainstream. I tried building my own SaaS projects but couldn’t market them and hence no success there. So now I’m really anxious as to if I out of my”
“I’m a web dev with 5+ yoe, working on contract right now and have been working with the same client since 1.5years now. Sometimes I feel scared as to what if I am laid off, based on current condition of tech industry it’s going to be really hard to find next opportunity. Earlier I used to get many client projects but it’s a ghost town since AI went mainstream. I tried building my own SaaS projects but couldn’t market them and hence no success there. So now I’m really anxious as to if I out of my”
“I was just laid off of my corporate job that I was at for 17 years. Before that I was at my first job out of college which last 3.5 years. I’ve been looking for corporate jobs but it’s not what I really want to do. I don’t feel inspired by sitting behind a computer. I don’t currently own a home and have very few expenses so I feel like I have some wiggle room. Making a lot of money is not my top priority. Any advice on how to get out of this slump is appreciate. I’m at a crossroads and lost. ”
“My job has me mentally just cooked. I’ve been applying to companies for over a year.. finally in the third and find round tomorrow, I also have a former colleague who states they would advocate for me in their company… My current company is asking me to take on difficult work and travel for it, should I just put my two weeks in? I’ve never left a job without having another lined up. But this is the final straw. submitted by /u/SadVillage5436 [link] [comments]”
“Just had a conversation this morning with my manager about my performance 3 months into the job. He was pretty frustrated today and he first talked about his expectations for the 6 and 12 month mark of this position and said with how things are going so far, I won’t meet it. He said that “if something were to happen to me, and someone asks you to complete some work, are you comfortable with taking over completely and understand everything?”. After that, he said that whenever he hands me a task a”
“Tldr at the bottom.. I'm with my original company out of college, been here for 5 years. I like to think I'm a decent worker, maybe above average for figuring out how to do something but below average on retaining the vast business knowledge my company has. I get good reviews and good raises, but through some weird scenarios I have never gotten an actual promotion. I would go into the whole promotion thing, but it would detract from my actual question. That is, I see jobs all the time th”
“I have written in this community before. But I am conpletely lost and don’t know what to do anymore. My current job has strung me along for so long promising me promotions and raises for everything to not be true when it comes time. I am busting my balls taking on new duties everyday and am basically told tough shit whenever I open my mouth. I am a small, meaningless admin in a big department who has tenure but 0 respect in the workplace, and I don’t know why. I have sent out maybe 50-75 job app”
“I am one right now. I’m not supposed to be in this company. It has been two months since going back. Got hired in December to a large Telecom company and had a string of bad performances from January to early march then Infound my shit together. Like I had 6-7 weeks of no bad output and I adjusted. Then April 13, I was let go due to the bad performances That happened 6-7 weeks ago! What I did not like was this. Yes maybe Indeserved it but I was never given a chance to prove myself. Even my frien”
I'm not even in fortune 500. It's unknown company in east Asia... 😂
“I got laid off but the company said that they were restructuring and would hire people back in 2 months (this was specified in the layoff letter) which never ended up happening. As soon as I realized this, I filed for H4 COS which was within the 60-day period at 55 days. Have there been issues with filing COS towards the end of the 60-day period given that it is discretionary? submitted by /u/Sea_Tourist_833 [link] [comments]”
“I've been job hunting for the past four months following a layoff. I'm mid career with a pretty strong resume and have had decent success getting interviews but I only recently landed my first offer. The job seems reasonable but it would require about a 60% pay cut from where I was before. I accepted that I'd probably take a pay cut after my layoff but I was expecting something more in the 10 - 40% range. I'm not necessarily opposed to a 50%+ pay cut if it comes with stability an”
“So I was on a contract position for about 10 months.. for the entire time I was actually doing the job of a full time role they hadn't filled properly. Eventually the full time role was listed and it was heavily encouraged I apply for it. Long story short after 5 interviews I was offered the job and accepted. However during the background check they decided I didn't actually meet one of the requirements, and rescinded the offer. They also end my contract position. I've been job hunti”
“Hi everyone, I was recently impacted by a layoff. My company placed everyone on a non-working notice period, meaning I am still on payroll with a termination date in October. Need some advice on how to handle this during my job search: Interview Questions: How should I answer "Are you still with XYZ?" or "Why are you leaving?" Background Check: What shows up during the check since I'm technically still on payroll Start Dates: If I get an offer that starts before October,”
“I (M48) have been in my company for going on 16 years now. I am at a supervisor level. I helped shape and essentially create department I’m in, from the workflow to the office layout. Recently, my manager was fired for conflict of interest. HR did a full investigation to see if I was involved and determined that I was not. However, two new replacements have come in: one replacement at a senior manager level and another replacement for my fired manager. These two replacements, both of whom have n”
“I was laid off my job a month ago and received a severance agreement a week ago but I haven’t signed it as I told by my former lead that I shouldn’t accept the amount they are trying to offer me and that I was ask for more. So with this being said have anyone ever asked for more money and what was your experience? submitted by /u/Beautybankbrains [link] [comments]”
“Hi, My employer is going through financial difficulties and has already laid off a couple of teams. My team is next on the chopping block. Everyone but me and a couple other people were laid off, informed on 8/25 and last day is 9/1. When I got the news, I was offered another position of exact same pay but would require me to be in the office full time. I had already informed them of my planned relocation an hour and a half away next month and informed them I could not accept an in office positi”
“So, bit of back story. I have been in the same position since January of last year and same company wince May of 2023 and was forced to get this position to stay with the company I work for because my previous position was outsourced. I hate my current position. It's salary and has SO MUCH more responsibility than my previous position. Yes, the pay is better, but it's not worth it. Well, fast forward to today, and I am so far behind in my work, and I've called off several days when I”
“Always look at the current job market before quitting. Best of luck to ya, friend. Has is already been 4 weeks since you put your notice in? No shame, id try and ask for my old job back, depending on how long its been I guess”
“The short of it is, I was laid off, very toxic workplace so situation of layoff was shitty too. 6 weeks later I get an offer to join another team at the same company! Making more money! Because this new team treats their employees better. End of story? Not quite.. Old team sees me back in the building. Cannot stand to see me succeed? Worried it will challenge the narrative they constructed? Guilty conscience for the way they treated me? Likely all of the above. So they go to HR… yeah.. I know… t”
“A few months ago, I, along with my entire team, were notified that we were being made redundant due to acquisition (my first layoff in my career). I’m about half way through my 5 month notice period and I’m really struggling. I haven’t been able to transition the majority of my work because the person who will be taking over has been on leave. Company morale, or what’s left of the company, is low, and my personal motivation is at an all time low, so much so that it makes me question who I am. Be”