The news cycle is locked in a state of confusion: One day, we read about mass layoffs sweeping through the technology sector. The next, we hear about a crippling shortage of skilled workers. This contradiction isn’t just confusing—it’s the defining economic tension of 2025.
In the U.S., more than 141,000 tech jobs have been cut this year, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Yet, as the year closes, the U.S. labor market is simultaneously staring down 474,293 active tech job postings and 457,398 unfilled cybersecurity positions—massive, urgent deficits.
But the story gets worse. That gaping hole can no longer be filled by importing talent.
The Three-Part Shock that Changes Everything
The greatest accelerant forcing change is a policy shock that has slammed the door on foreign recruitment: the $100,000 H-1B visa fee for new applications.
This isn’t a small hike; it’s a structural barrier. When a company faces a five-to-six figure fee just to file for a new visa, it freezes the international hiring pipeline overnight.
“The $100,000 H-1B fee isn’t just a cost; it’s a policy shock that has choked off our foreign talent pipeline, forcing an immediate, non-negotiable pivot to U.S.-based workers,” says Jared Allen, CEO of Edge of Bliss. “The market is chaotic, but the signal is clear: the only sustainable path forward for business is domestic.”
This triple crisis—layoffs, massive open roles, and a frozen overseas valve—means companies cannot recruit their way out. They must retrain and hire from within the country.
The Great Diffusion: Where the Jobs Went
The key to navigating this chaos is understanding that the layoffs and the demand are occurring in two different markets.
The large-scale cuts are focused on generalist, routine-task roles vulnerable to AI and automation.1 But the jobs being added are specialized, high-security, and high-value roles across the rest of the economy—a trend we call the “Great Diffusion.”
The hiring battle isn’t happening in Silicon Valley’s established firms; it’s happening in counter-cyclical, resilient industries:
- Defense & Aerospace: Companies like L3Harris and cutting-edge startups like Anduril are in a hiring boom, absorbing tech talent for high-stakes AI and security projects.2
- Finance: The Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate sector added the most tech jobs last year. FinTech firms and major banks desperately need experts for fraud detection, data science, and security.4
- Healthcare: As a uniquely resilient sector, healthcare is constantly digitizing and requires specialists in everything from medical device security to electronic health records (EHR) systems.6
Closing the Gap: A Blueprint for the Unemployed
For the 141,000 laid-off workers and the legions of professionals seeking a career pivot, this market presents a clear, data-driven opportunity, provided they abandon old myths.
The most critical opportunity lies in cybersecurity, where the U.S. faces a deficit of 457,398 unfilled jobs.8
“We are teaching people how to successfully pivot, because the most damaging myth is that you need a traditional four-year degree to break in,” Allen explains. “Analysis shows nearly half of entry-level security roles don’t require one.9 Hiring managers are now prioritizing certifications and hands-on skills. We are showing professionals how to turn their current IT support, HR, or even customer service experience into a high-paying cyber career.” 10
The Tech & Cybersecurity Strategic Career Summit is the first event built to deliver this blueprint—turning weeks of research into days of qualified connections. It is a lifeline for professionals and a strategic necessity for employers.
“Layoffs create noise—but the signal is the open-roles gap,” Allen states. “With the overseas pipeline choked, the only sustainable path is domestic. We are providing the specialized talent that keeps the lights on for our national security, finance, and healthcare systems.”
This market is complex, but the command is simple: Adapt, specialize, and conquer the talent shortage at home.
The Tech & Cybersecurity Strategic Career Summit is a virtual event taking place January 13-15, 2026.
About Edge of Bliss
Edge of Bliss is building the future of hiring: Privacy-first, skill-centered, and human-driven. We help people connect, collaborate, and grow their careers.
Edge of Bliss. Find yours.
For further information, please contact:
Press Contact:
Jared Allen
CEO
Edge of Bliss
Email: jared.allen@edgeofbliss.com
Website: edgeofbliss.com
