Laid off in the US, back in India with zero job calls: A FAANG professional with an American master's gets reality check

Imagine having a master's in the US, bagging a FAANG job, and building real skills on big projects. Life feels set right? But, just then, layoffs hit, you head back to India, no visa hassles, strong experience, ready to grab top roles at MNCs.But then the real struggle begins when there are no calls, no interviews, just silence. This isn't rare in 2026's cutthroat job market. Returnees from abroad often crash into India's insane competition, picky recruiters, and gaps that call out "risk". FAANG might sound enticing in the resume, but here, it's skills, networks, and timing that rule. This story posted online is about a person's raw struggle and the wisdom from others who've been there. A skilled professional shared a tough reality on Reddit's r/returnToIndia subreddit. After earning a US master's degree and three years at a FAANG company in program management, the person in question got laid off and moved back to India. Expecting an easy switch into big firms like FAANG or other MNCs, he hit a wall. “I have not received a single interview callback,” the user posted.A two-year resume gap from the layoff and relocation stands out as the likely culprit. “There is a two-year gap on my resume due to the layoff and relocation, and I am starting to wonder if that is what is hurting me the most. I expected my US and FAANG experience to carry weight, but that does not seem to be the case,” the professional added in the post. The stress has him rethinking his take on the application process, seeking tips from those who've returned. Fellow Redditors jumped in with hard-earned advice. One wrote, “Had a similar experience, was working in the UK, was made redundant, looked out for jobs there, had VISA issues, moved back to India, found a job after 7-8 interviews. Market situation is not that bad tbh, but the competition is more and will have to settle for less salary as of now”.Another insisted to keep trying, “India is altogether a different beast when it comes to competition. Keep at it, don't get demotivated. Keep polishing your skills and upskill. All you need is one relevant role. Three years of experience is a sweet spot to be in, not entry-level and also not very high expectations. Good luck!”.A third asked to develop modern skills, “We are in a skill-based economy now, not a pedigree-based one anymore! Sorry, it sounds harsh, but it is what it is. You need to pivot to hardcore tech skills like AI, etc.”. A fourth wrote, “Everything in India is via networking. Use LinkedIn to build your network and find your next job opportunity. You can’t afford to be out any longer. Just take what you can get. Consider project manager jobs”