Shifting Expectations in the Software Job Market: A Mid-Level Engineer’s View
Recent conversations about the software job market often describe a steep decline in opportunities. My experience has been more mixed. Over the past few weeks, after updating my resume, I’ve applied to roughly ten roles and interviewed at several companies, including larger firms. Recruiter outreach has increased as well: two to three calls each week, regular LinkedIn messages, and about 1,600 search appearances in three weeks. I have three years of experience, which likely influences this response. Hiring expectations have changed since the period before 2021, when basic data-structures knowledge and a programming language were often enough to secure an entry-level role. For new graduates with limited project experience, listing React or basic frontend skills rarely attracts employer attention. Many companies expect one developer to manage work that previously required several people. With accessible tools like ChatGPT or Claude, smaller firms often operate with leaner teams. This shi...