[csmdev]

The shortage isn't real. It's an illusion meant to drive the wages down.

Most companies are pretty comfortable with the current market. They don't need to bend over backwards in order to find new employees. They all rush to them from all over the world because of the apparent high demand. If there really was a shortage, wages would skyrocket. Instead, they are staying low and barely growing with inflation. Only twice the national average last I checked.

When a company says it cannot find talent, it's actually saying it cannot find talent at the price they are willing to pay. Everybody just wants cheaper workers.

[notduncansmith]

I'm curious - what about the "illusions" of a shortage of developers would drive wages down? Basic laws of supply and demand would suggest a trend in the opposite direction.

[csmdev]

Companies complain there is a shortage. Everybody rushes to fill the demand, including students choosing a CS major over something else. Companies are then over-flooded with supply and get to pick what they want. It's a common tactic in capitalism.

If there really was a shortage, CS students would be recruited straight out of college. Instead, every software company wants years of experience for entry-level jobs. If they afford to put up ridiculous job requirements, they don't really need you. They simply want someone better for less money.

[dllthomas]

"If there really was a shortage, CS students would be recruited straight out of college. Instead, every software company wants years of experience for entry-level jobs. If they afford to put up ridiculous job requirements, they don't really need you. They simply want someone better for less money."

This assumes that CS students straight out of college are a (presumably imperfect) substitute for an experienced programmer. That very well might be the case, but it should at least be made explicit and ideally supported.

[notduncansmith]

Ah, that makes sense - and would explain why the current market doesn't reflect the supposed shortage of developers.