TheCareerGrid

Remember a few weeks ago when there were rumours floating around about Oracle potentially cutting jobs?

Well… it’s happened.

Oracle has now confirmed layoffs as part of a broader shift in strategy, to free up billions of $$ being redirected heavily into AI infrastructure and cloud capabilities.

The number circulating is 30,000 which would wipe 18% of their workforce. HUGE. Saving approximately US $10 billion.

Not only that, they did it with a lovely 6am email letting people know their jobs had been ‘eliminated’.

And if that sounds familiar, it should.

Because we’ve seen this pattern already.

Atlassian cut around 1,600 roles to fund AI.

Morgan Stanley reduced headcount while doubling down on automation and efficiency.

It’s not random and other global companies are watching and following. We’re bound to see more of this in 2026.

From a talent perspective, what’s happening is actually pretty clear. Companies are reallocating spend, less towards traditional roles and more towards AI, automation, and infrastructure that scales faster for ‘efficiency’.

When these things happen, even strong, experienced professionals get caught in it. Which is what we’ve been saying over the last 18 months. No one is safe, because its not about individual performance anymore.

Businesses are changing directions, really quickly. This is what people still struggle to accept. Performance is not protection anymore. Just like Atlassian, you can help build a company, grow with it, been reliable, experienced, even critical to the operation; and still be impacted.

Now, we’re going to see even more experienced candidates re-enter the market at the same time, making it more competitive than ever.

We’re no longer just competing with people at our level. We’re competing with people who have more experience, stronger networks, and better positioning.

So don’t ignore this! Don’t get it wrong. Don’t respond by mass applying. It will leave you burnt out, frustrated and disappointed.

Focus your time and energy on your network, leveraging your contacts, positioning yourself and being visible.

This is what the market is rewarding. It’s rewarding people who are already known before they apply.

In a market like this, roles don’t always make it to job boards, and if they do, you don’t want to be buried between hundreds, even thousands of other applicants.

So if you’re relying on applications alone, you’re putting yourself in the hardest position possible.

Focus on being seen through referrals, approaching people directly, finding opportunities before they are advertised. Don’t leave it to luck.

This is exactly why I talk about career insurance so much.

Building visibility, relationships, and a clear narrative about your value before you need it is what gives you options when things change.

And right now, things are shifting fast.

Oracle isn’t the story.

It’s just another sign.

Have a workplace or talent related question for the team at TheCareerGrid? We would LOVE to hear from you! Contact us at info@thecareergrid.com

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