Why is it so hard to get a software engineer job? Why are tech jobs insanely hard to find in 2024?

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares personal insights on the evolving tech market, highlighting the impact of the 2020 pandemic, the rise of remote work, and how companies are outsourcing jobs to lower-wage countries. They discuss how affordability has become a priority over skills, with AI also playing a significant role in job displacement. The speaker reflects on their own experience with layoffs and the shifting landscape of software development, expressing uncertainty about the future and exploring alternative career paths. The video underscores the need to adapt to the changing tech environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Layoffs in the tech industry have impacted over 240,000 workers, and the trend continues.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to remote work, fundamentally changing the job landscape.
• 😀 Companies realized they could hire talent from lower-cost regions, significantly reducing salary expenses.
• 😀 For example, a U.S. software engineer may earn $100,000, while the same role in India could pay $50,000.
• 😀 The hiring of remote employees has become more common, even as companies make layoffs domestically.
• 😀 The availability of job opportunities for software developers has decreased in the U.S., with more positions opening in countries like India and Brazil.
• 😀 The tech industry is shifting focus from skills to affordability when hiring developers.
• 😀 The rise of AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, is changing the nature of coding jobs and could replace repetitive tasks.
• 😀 Automation is increasingly seen as a more cost-effective solution compared to human labor in many roles.
• 😀 The speaker is uncertain about their future career path and is considering transitioning to healthcare or developing new skills.

Q & A

What major event in 2020 influenced the tech job market?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a major event that influenced the tech job market, leading to an increase in remote work and changes in hiring practices.

How did remote work affect the hiring practices of tech companies?

Remote work allowed companies to realize that their workforce was not limited to a single geographic location, leading them to hire talent from countries with lower wage expectations.

What impact did layoffs in the tech industry have on the job market?

Layoffs in the tech industry, including those at major companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Google, contributed to a saturated job market, leaving many professionals still searching for jobs years later.

How has the affordability of labor changed the tech job landscape?

The tech job landscape has shifted towards affordability, with companies preferring to hire remote workers from countries with lower GDPs, resulting in fewer opportunities for U.S.-based software developers.

What role does AI play in the changing dynamics of tech jobs?

AI is replacing simple, repetitive coding tasks, leading to concerns among developers about job security and the need for adaptation in their skill sets.

What experiences did the speaker have during their layoff?

The speaker experienced layoffs firsthand and observed the recruitment of remote workers during budget cuts, highlighting the changing dynamics in hiring and workforce management.

What concerns does the speaker express about their future in the tech industry?

The speaker is uncertain about their future and is contemplating whether to seek jobs in healthcare or develop new skill sets as a software developer.

How does the speaker view the relationship between coding skills and job availability?

The speaker believes that technology is shifting from valuing coding skills to prioritizing affordability, making it challenging for software developers to secure jobs.

What examples did the speaker provide to illustrate the shift in tech job recruitment?

The speaker mentioned noticing fewer job opportunities in the U.S. and an increase in positions based in countries like India, South America, and Asia during their job search.

What tools does the speaker mention using to assist with their work?

The speaker mentions utilizing tools like ChatGPT for making simple coding changes, queries, and writing emails, indicating a shift towards relying on AI in their daily work.