Tech jobs have dried up
Claims that “tech jobs have dried up” are prompting reflection on whether software employment is in a structural decline or just cooling off after an unsustainable boom. Commenters describe a much tougher market for juniors, bootcamp grads, and generic web developers, while experienced specialists and those with solid CS fundamentals still find opportunities, especially as AI and automation increase demand for higher‑end skills. Many attribute the slowdown more to macroeconomic factors and overhiring during the pandemic than to AI directly, but note that AI hiring, visa policy, and management fads are reshaping which roles are in demand and how competitive hiring has become.
Overall market conditions
- Many see a correction rather than a collapse: post-2020 “red carpet” boom is over, but not comparable to past busts like 2002.
- Some argue tech jobs are “drying up,” especially for generic web work and juniors; others report steady inbound recruiter interest, with strong local variation (e.g., Europe vs US).
- Several note that companies are trimming after over-hiring and cheap-money years, not eliminating software work altogether.
AI’s impact on hiring
- Strong view that AI is shifting resources: AI/ML specialists are paid multiples of regular engineers, and budgets for other roles are squeezed.
- Others argue AI mostly boosts individual productivity; work still exists but fewer additional headcount gets approved.
- Skeptics say many AI-driven decisions are based on vibes, not measured productivity gains; tools haven’t truly “replaced” full developers yet.
- Some see AI as a long-term job creator via automation of other sectors (factories, etc.), needing more devs and infra roles.
Early-career paths, degrees, and bootcamps
- Consensus that the market is much harsher for juniors, bootcamp grads, self-taught devs, and non-technical “in tech” roles (marketing, HR, recruiting).
- Multiple comments claim that, compared with mid-career CS grads, these groups now have little edge and struggle to even get interviews.
- Counterexamples exist where bootcamp grads with strong portfolios or OSS work do fine, but they’re portrayed as the exception.
Interview process and competition
- Several experienced engineers report months of applications, many final rounds, and rejections for minor stylistic reasons; surplus of candidates lets companies be extremely picky.
- Perception that employers want “hit the ground running” hires; very few roles allow multi-month ramp-up.
Visas, policy, and RTO
- Some see H1B and similar programs as flooding a saturated market and propose tying layoffs and visa hiring.
- Others emphasize structural issues: employer-tied visas create vulnerable workers and distort labor markets; suggestions include EU-style profession-based visas.
- One view links aggressive return-to-office policies to a strategy for increasing visa-heavy hiring.
Career sustainability
- Burnout and disillusionment appear, especially among mid/late-career engineers seeing rising responsibilities, stagnant interest, and a punishing market.