I spent a day researching about the 2025-26 coding job market.

Summary

In this video, the speaker breaks down key shifts in the tech job market, discussing how founders are in conservation mode, AI has made engineers more productive but also impacted hiring, and the growing importance of referrals in securing jobs. They offer actionable advice for job seekers, emphasizing the need to focus on gaining experience rather than waiting for the perfect offer, being ready from day one, and mastering clean, maintainable code. The speaker also stresses the importance of developing a broad knowledge base or deep expertise in a niche to stay competitive in the ever-evolving industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Founders are in 'conservation mode'—not actively hiring due to slowed product development and fewer first-mover advantages.
• 😀 AI has significantly increased engineer productivity, leading to fewer job openings and more short-term roles being offered.
• 😀 Referrals are a critical advantage in the job market—having a strong referral can be equivalent to applying for hundreds of positions.
• 😀 Don’t wait for the perfect offer—take the first decent opportunity to get your foot in the door, as this leads to quicker career progression.
• 😀 Be ready from day one: Companies expect freshers and junior engineers to hit the ground running, especially in startups.
• 😀 Engineers are expected to have cross-functional knowledge—familiarity with tools like GitHub, Git, and an understanding of different technical processes.
• 😀 Writing clean, maintainable code is crucial—many developers, especially in India, struggle with this due to lack of first-principles thinking.
• 😀 CS has evolved: Companies now require engineers with high agency who can independently contribute to the product rather than just perform rote tasks.
• 😀 Having a breadth of knowledge is valuable—being able to handle a wide range of tasks and projects sets you apart in a competitive job market.
• 😀 The demand for specialized deep knowledge is also growing, especially in niches like blockchain, DevOps, and low-level systems engineering, making those roles highly secure.

Q & A

What has been the major shift in the job market for tech roles over the past year?

Over the past year, the major shift in the job market has been that companies, particularly startups, have moved into 'conservation mode.' Many founders have stopped hiring altogether or are hiring much less actively, largely due to economic uncertainty and a focus on slower, more deliberate product development rather than rapid scaling.

How has AI impacted the hiring landscape in tech?

AI has significantly increased the productivity of engineers, which has led to a decrease in hiring. With tools like ChatGPT, tasks that once required multiple engineers can now be accomplished more quickly, which has led founders to expect faster delivery times and reduced hiring needs, sometimes only offering short-term roles.

Why are founders in conservation mode, and what does it mean for job seekers?

Founders are in conservation mode because the rapid growth and scaling that characterized previous years are no longer viable in the current economic climate. This means many companies are focusing on slow, steady progress and are hesitant to expand teams. For job seekers, this results in prolonged interview processes and fewer opportunities.

What role do referrals play in today's job market?

Referrals have become an extreme unfair advantage in today's job market. With many engineers applying for the same roles, having a strong referral can be as powerful as applying to hundreds of jobs. Networking and building connections are crucial to accessing opportunities.

What is the danger of optimizing for 'perfect' job offers when you're just starting out?

Optimizing for the perfect job offer, such as focusing on extremely high salary offers right out of college, can be detrimental. It's better to take a reasonable offer that gets you into the industry, as having any job experience makes it easier to negotiate better offers in the future.

What are the current expectations for junior engineers entering the workforce?

Junior engineers are now expected to hit the ground running. This means being familiar with the tech stack, understanding basic development processes like GitHub and Git workflows, and being able to contribute to projects with minimal oversight. The expectation is that you can add value quickly, especially in startups or remote companies.

What is the importance of writing clean, maintainable code, and how does this relate to job success?

Writing clean, maintainable code is essential, especially in fast-paced environments like startups. It shows that an engineer is detail-oriented, understands the long-term impact of their work, and can contribute to the overall health of the product. Engineers who focus on clean code are valued for their ability to improve the team's productivity and reduce technical debt.

What shift in mindset is needed for computer science students and engineers in India?

Students and engineers in India need to shift their mindset from simply chasing high-paying offers to focusing on developing skills that will allow them to contribute meaningfully to tech products. There’s an increasing need for engineers who can balance breadth (knowledge of many areas) and depth (specialized expertise), as well as those who understand product development and maintain high agency.

What are the key differences between a 'breadth' engineer and a 'depth' engineer?

A 'breadth' engineer has a wide range of knowledge across various technologies and is good at bringing a product to completion, focusing on the last 10% of a project. A 'depth' engineer, on the other hand, specializes in specific areas like blockchain or low-level systems, and has deep expertise in those niches. Both types of engineers are valuable, but companies often struggle to find engineers who excel in both breadth and depth.

How can tech engineers differentiate themselves in a competitive job market?

Engineers can differentiate themselves by focusing on building a wide breadth of knowledge, paying attention to detail, writing clean and maintainable code, and being able to handle projects end-to-end. Demonstrating high agency and a solid understanding of product development will make them stand out to founders looking for engineers who can contribute without constant supervision.