I Researched the Job Market after AI

In this video, I’ll share my thoughts on the future of hiring after the advent of AI. Many students are experiencing FOMO, wondering if AI tools—improving rapidly every day—will replace software engineers and whether software engineering will still be relevant in the future. I’ve also shared my personal experience and insights on this topic. To sum it up, AI will only enhance developers' productivity, so stay focused and keep working hard

📚 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀/𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
Live Link →
GitHub Repository (give it a star ⭐) →

🔗 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀:

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀 -
00:00 - Intro
01:17 - Sargam's experience with Cursor
02:05 - Coding vs Other Options
04:01 - Three Types of People
04:40 - High Agency People
05:41 - Personal experience with Goldman
07:19 - Targeting Right Market
11:13 - Importance of Patience
12:44 - Be ready to face hate
15:46 - Tech vs Government Jobs
17:19 - Recent Hiring Trends

[shantanukulkarni]

Gist of the Video: The core message is that the coding landscape is being revolutionized by AI. Developers need to embrace these changes, learn to use AI tools effectively, and develop high agency to thrive in the future job market. The emphasis is on moving beyond basic coding skills and focusing on strategic thinking, problem-solving, and initiative.

[practicalsanket]

Summarizing 5 key takeaways from video,
1. Three Job Layers: High-agency individuals (adaptable, impact-driven), traditional developers (stable roles), and foundational "below the API" roles.
2. High-Agency Traits: Quick learners, deliver results across stacks, thrive in startups, and gain rapid experience under pressure.
3. Emerging Markets: AI, Web3, Solana, and niche AI solutions (e.g., for lawyers, hospitals) are lucrative.
4. Tech Challenges: Competitive, skill-based, and requires continuous upskilling; younger developers can compete with experienced ones.
5. Advice: Focus on learning and creating value, not just securing jobs. Explore non-coding roles like sales or customer success in tech companies.

[shubham-dgqz]

Few years ago he was all in with web3 now he is all in with AI, couple of years down the line he will be in IIT JEE teacher 😂 it will be endless without any long term vision. I understand the efforts and knowledge of this person but i think he needs to have good vision and build around it for more than decade thats where generation wealth and values will be created.

[dhananjaysingh]

As someone new to Tech and Coding, Never have I seen someone speak so clearly about the market and conveying the information without any bias. Nice One bruv!

[Jarvis_IT]

I wasn't able to understand your video, so I used AI to summarize it, and now I understand what you were trying to convey.

[junaidrajput_]

Timestamps (Powered by Merlin AI)
00:04 - AI tools are reshaping coding productivity and the job market.
01:57 - Choosing tech careers offers greater growth than traditional jobs.
05:23 - Startups prioritize high-agency individuals for impactful roles amid constant pressure and learning.
07:07 - The job market is shifting significantly towards AI opportunities.
10:25 - AI and web3 development present hot job market niches.
12:07 - Emphasize persistence in learning coding despite job market uncertainties.
15:25 - Coding progression emphasizes skill over age or experience.
17:06 - AI is transforming hiring trends, reducing opportunities for freshers.
20:05 - Exploring job opportunities in tech companies beyond traditional roles.

[ramkumarrealm]

Coding Tools and Productivity:

The speaker highlights how tools like Cursor are making developers more productive, enabling them to focus more on reviewing code rather than typing it all out. The tools aren't replacing developers but enhancing their productivity, allowing them to concentrate on higher-level tasks.
Tech vs. Traditional Jobs:

The video draws a comparison between traditional jobs (like working at TCS) and starting your own business (like running a Momo stall). In the past, tech has proven to offer more growth potential. Choosing tech means higher earning potential and learning opportunities compared to more static, traditional roles.
The idea of "living above the API layer" (creating apps or products) versus "below the API layer" (working repetitive jobs) is explored, with a strong argument that working in tech offers more dynamic growth and opportunities.
The Future of Work in Tech:

The speaker discusses the future of work being divided into three layers:
High-agency people: Those who are not necessarily the most technically skilled but are adaptable, can learn fast, and know how to get things done. These individuals thrive in startups and fast-growing companies.
Standard developers: These developers are more comfortable with routine tasks, often working in more stable environments (like large tech companies or consultancies).
Below the API layer: These are individuals who do repetitive tasks without much room for innovation or growth.
Being a High Agency Developer:

High-agency developers are proactive, adaptable, and capable of handling various tasks, often working in fast-paced environments like startups. They might not specialize in a single tech stack but are able to learn and get things done quickly.
This type of developer is often under a lot of stress but gains extensive learning and experience in a short period, often outpacing their peers in terms of skill growth.
Tech's Brutality and Meritocracy:

The tech industry can be brutal, with a lot of young developers entering the field and competing for positions. It's a meritocracy, where the most skilled individuals are rewarded, regardless of age or experience.
The industry can be tough for those without high agency and those who aren't constantly improving their skills.
Opportunities in Startups:

Many high-growth startups (especially in AI, Web3, and similar fields) are hiring people who are high-agency, adaptable, and willing to learn quickly.
Startups in the AI and Web3 space are currently seeing rapid growth, with opportunities for developers who can join early, build products, and scale them. These opportunities can be lucrative and lead to greater career advancement.
Patience and Persistence:

It's important for developers to focus on input (learning and building skills) rather than just the outcome (getting a job or salary). The process of upskilling is key to long-term success.
Impatience is common, especially for those entering the job market, but the speaker encourages persistence and emphasizes that skill development takes time.
Tech vs. Traditional Jobs (Again):

The speaker mentions that while tech can be rewarding, it also comes with risks and challenges. If someone is looking for stability and lower stress, traditional jobs, like those in government or customer support, might also be viable options, as they come with job security and less fluctuation.
The future of tech will involve more productivity with fewer hires—tools will help engineers become more productive, but fewer people may be needed to do the same amount of work.
Building Your Career:

Developers should aim to gain real-world experience (hitting production) early on, rather than spending years in environments where their code doesn’t impact real-world applications.
Joining high-growth startups or learning about emerging technologies (AI, Web3, etc.) can provide the opportunities needed to break through salary barriers and grow quickly.
Conclusion:
Stay adaptable: The tech world is rapidly evolving, and the key to success is being high-agency—able to learn quickly, adapt, and produce results.
Focus on continuous learning: Even if you're not in a traditional tech role, there are still opportunities to grow and earn a high salary, especially in startups or niche markets like AI and Web3.
Upskill: Don't focus only on the end goal (like getting a job); focus on learning new technologies and building things that provide real-world impact.

[RxC]

There are some Ideas shoved down to everyone's throat, not by explicitly saying but implicitly mentioning them repeatedly
1. 9 to 5 = bad
2. ultimate goal = startup
3. Everyone can get on top because statistics and probability don't matter
4. AI makes you a better engineer

We are moving towards a society that has a totally different value system From what we have

But always remember
1. Working on what you like is good even if you are working for someone else's dream.
2. You are not liable to the society for making a startup, instead do what you are supposed to do faithfully and honestly, if you can change the order of things or make something better, go ahead, do a startup
3. A news is a news because it isn't happening everywhere all the time, there always will be people at the top, mostly by luck or by circumstances
4 as a learner and engineer, AI if used excessively(which almost everyone does) is no better than watching shorts/reels, take time off with AI. Prefer using chatbots over integrated ide. And don't be a human clipboard who holds data from ai and paste it to the codebase

[PavankumarReddi]

Happiest birthday day bhaiya ❤ Great Mentor

[iflank]

I’m a 2025 grad. I was a part of cohort 2, i got my internship in april 2024 in an early stage startup, working as a founding engineer from past 10 months now, I totally agree with all points mentioned in this video.

[Amaterasoo]

it's my birthday too, happiest birthday harkirat!!

[diaje]

From your videos, I find you to be a genuine cheerleader for any budding software engineer. Thank you! It's unfortunate that you get the negativity that you do.
Btw, Happy Harkirat day :)

[kaisepadhu]

16:30 same my dad is living a retired life at the age of 40. since we live in tier -2 city, expsense are low and our lifestyle can be sustained and pension grows with year

[statusxhub]

"I copied the link to your video, and with ChatGPT’s summarization, I got the entire summary of your 20:14-minute video without watching it. I was able to read the important points in just 2 minutes."

[som_das_]

Happy birthday Harkirat, your videos always give some different perspective . Keep doing the good work ✨

[KamaleshPramanik-sc]

Thank you very much Harkirat for the direction..

[raunaksachdev]

This guy talks real man amazing video 🎉

[AbhishekBindal]

Would love to see a podcast with your brother and get to know his journey. Maybe a podcast series with people in non coding tech roles that are doing well for themselves would be awesome.

[amay]

Happiest Birthday Sir, God bless you with everything

[sandipanhaldar]

loved the chiseled look of Harkirat as a goldman consultant