Relating it to performance is just silly. Most companies barely understand the performance of their employees much less candidates. The market has shrunk but not catastrophically so. Most people haven't been majorly affected but that doesn't mean they're automatically the most deserving or best performing.

People with experience and/or credentials desired by companies in areas of growth (i.e. AI) are always in high demand

> People with experience and/or credentials desired by companies in areas of growth (i.e. AI) are always in high demand

This is tautological.

>Most people haven't been majorly affected

Apparently it is over a third affected in my domain. Which is crazy. Pretty much everyone in my immediate band has been hit at some point. That that weren't were usually around 5-8 above me. So basically a different generational band altogether.