The market has definitely changed, but I don't think it's worse. I'm currently looking for a new challenge and have had no issues getting interviews; only the overall volume has decreased. I've noticed companies aren't focusing as much on specific technologies. It likely hurts your chances if your resume positions you strictly as a "<insert language, framework> developer or engineer".
For years, I've advised my peers to stop fixating on the stack and to look at the bigger picture. A solid engineer should be able to pick up a new language in a few hours or jump into an unfamiliar architecture quickly.
I completely agree—you can't rely solely on specific languages or skills.
But I’m talking more about the growing trend in hiring: multi-page forms in “Easy Apply” that were supposed to make applying easier, not harder; cookie-cutter email responses (the standard four paragraphs); ATS; cover letters that no one reads; requests for personal websites, publications in major online media, and so on. It’s as if no one is actually trying to figure out what kind of professional you really are. They screen you based on your social media profiles using various metrics. Now almost all companies do this, even though it used to be relevant only for large corporations that needed to understand, for example, your social engagement and reputation. But now I see small firms doing the exact same thing for no good reason.)
> A solid engineer should be able to pick up a new language in a few hours or jump into an unfamiliar architecture quickly.
I don't see that hiring responsible are looking for intelligent developers. They, in my opinion, have always been looking for exact experience with specific technology and any arguments that you are able to quickly learn something are ignored and overruled by some other candidate having the exact experience they need.
I would say "especially a remote one". I think those days are gone. I see the 60 office-40 home being prevalent, and the 40% is more like a favor to you/us rather than 'work life balance'.
I would say hiring is picking up now at least in europe. partially driven by re-arming and deep tech efforts.
think we gonna see a lot of AI interviews very soon, which I think is a bit meh, but probably better than what we had before with grinding leetcode, which is a complete waste of time.
right, but what I mean more specifically is AI assisted or conducted interviews and specifically in the EU, which is notoriously behind US on tech adoption.
if you can't speak or write well, that's probably a good reason. I have rejected multiple CVs lately because the got so much generic/meaningless word salad, that I genuinely don't know what the hell these people are doing on their current job.
Perhaps make the CVs more human(?!), stick to 4-5 bullet-points per job and try to describe in simple non-BS language.
For years, I've advised my peers to stop fixating on the stack and to look at the bigger picture. A solid engineer should be able to pick up a new language in a few hours or jump into an unfamiliar architecture quickly.