How To Actually Get Hired In 2024

Summary

In this video, Kyle from Web Dev Simplified addresses the challenge of junior web developers finding jobs amidst a saturated market favoring senior developers. He explains how the COVID-19 boom led to an oversupply of developers, which has since resulted in layoffs and hiring freezes. Kyle advises job seekers to target non-tech companies, demonstrate their dependability, and build trust through networking or contributions to open-source projects. He emphasizes the importance of showcasing the ability to accelerate team progress and contribute meaningfully to increase the chances of landing a job.

Takeaways

• 😣 The job market for junior web developers is challenging due to high demand for senior-level skills and recent layoffs in the tech industry.
• 📈 The tech job market boomed in 2020 due to COVID-19, leading to an influx of developers, but has since declined as companies face financial constraints.
• 🔍 Job seekers should broaden their search beyond big tech companies to include everyday businesses that require web development skills but may not have been as severely affected by market changes.
• 🤝 Building connections within the industry through meetups can significantly increase the chances of landing a job by providing personal recommendations.
• 💼 Companies often seek experienced developers to minimize the risk and training costs associated with hiring junior developers.
• 🛠 Demonstrating reliability and the ability to accelerate a team's progress is crucial for junior developers to gain the trust of potential employers.
• 👥 Networking and having someone vouch for your abilities can put you ahead of other applicants and potentially secure an interview.
• 💻 Contributing to open-source projects or building software that others depend on can showcase your skills and build trust with employers.
• 📈 The job market has shifted from merely having good programming skills to proving the ability to contribute meaningfully to a team.
• 📚 To ensure web development skills are up to date, the presenter recommends a comprehensive web development roadmap for 2024.

Q & A

Why is it difficult for junior web developers to find jobs?

It's difficult because many job postings require senior-level experience, and due to economic changes, tech companies are laying off staff and not hiring as aggressively as before.

What major event around 2020 contributed to the hiring boom in tech companies?

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a surge in online activity, leading companies like Google, Facebook, and Netflix to hire more engineers to handle the increased demand.

Why are tech companies now experiencing a decline in hiring?

As people return to work and are less at home, the demand for online services decreases, leading to less revenue and thus less hiring.

What is one strategy Kyle suggests for junior developers to find jobs?

Kyle suggests looking beyond tech-focused companies and considering industries like banking or retail that also require web developers.

Why do companies often ask for senior-level experience in job postings?

Companies are looking for someone who can do the job with minimal training and who they can trust to deliver results, as developers are often their biggest expense.

What is the importance of knowing someone at a company when applying for a job?

Having a contact at a company can vouch for you, increasing your chances of getting an interview and job offer.

How can attending meetups help a junior developer?

Meetups can help you network and make connections with people who work at companies you're interested in, potentially leading to job recommendations.

What does Kyle suggest as an alternative to knowing someone at a company?

Kyle suggests building software that people depend on or contributing to open-source projects to demonstrate your skills and reliability.

Why is contributing to open-source projects valuable for a junior developer?

It shows potential employers that you can work in a large code base, follow protocols, and that your code is reliable and depended on by others.

What is the key to standing out as a junior developer according to Kyle?

The key is to bring trust to the table by showing that you can be depended on to contribute meaningfully to a team, even if you don't have all the senior-level skills yet.

What resource does Kyle recommend for junior developers to ensure their skills are up to date?

Kyle recommends his complete web dev road map, which covers full-stack development concepts with over 200 videos and 100 articles.