Tech Hiring in Crisis: What Happened to Entry-Level Jobs?

The developer job market has shifted. Senior-only hiring seems to be the new norm. I react to insights on why it’s tough for junior and mid-level devs right now and what you can do to stand out!

[paulmaxwell-walters]

I agree with you about the "Act like a senior engineer" statement. It is almost impossible to fake against interviewers who are usually senior themselves.

I also have doubts about building things to go on the resume. Building things is great for skills development but I have spoken to more than one recruiter where I live who made it clear that, in the current market, the only experience and skills that matter to them are those gained in a job I.e. commercial experience. In the words of one recruiter - " why should I hire someone with just home learned skills when there are experienced devs looking for work?"

[onetrueninjabear]

I graduated in 22 and held a job for 6 months and haven't been able to find anything since

[kosmoch]

Video Summary:
1. Market Shift to Senior Roles:
- Companies prefer hiring senior engineers due to expertise and reduced onboarding needs.
- Junior roles are scarce, with job requirements increasingly specifying 3–5 years of experience.

2. Economic and Industry Trends:
- Post-2022, companies prioritize profitability, reducing junior hires and focusing on efficient senior teams.
- Hiring freezes and layoffs have led to market saturation of mid-level and junior engineers.

3. Actionable Strategies for Job Seekers:
- Act Like a Senior Engineer: Take ownership, deepen expertise, and demonstrate leadership qualities.
- Build Projects: Showcase skills through practical, innovative projects rather than merely completing tutorials.
- Network Effectively: Leverage referrals, attend industry events, and connect directly with decision-makers.

[Jenkkimie]

The problem with meetups etc. is they assume the person can afford them. Some have attendence costs, most require travel. If you are like me, dead broke and on brink of homelessness (grad 2023, no relatives alive anymore), then you are at the mercy of the limited resources left. Then what?

[rdsunsb]

I agree that instead of looking into Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, meta, google new engineers should apply to not so hyped companies. Every new grads wants Roland job in Amazon, Microsoft, google, meta, Netflix.

[ozberkakbas]

Capitalism is a system that people is trying to keep it alive while it has no obligation to keep you alive and dump you if company doesn't need you.

Communism is a system the people trying to stay alive while the system has an obligation to keep you alive but dump you if the state doesn't need you.


Basicly it doesn't matter what is your talent, passion or game. It always boils down to how much someone needs you. This "find your own passion" thing is something I can't underestand in the hustler culture. We need to check the current market and forsee the 30 years after before we raise a child and the moment we born we need to work to forsee the future to determine who will be needed where. This will become the real job pool.