Landing Your First Tech Job: Why It's So Hard

The Shifting Landscape for New Tech Graduates

Recent observations confirm a growing trend: the technology sector's reduction in entry-level recruitment is becoming increasingly significant for graduating students.

Aneesh Raman, LinkedIn's chief economic opportunity officer, cautioned in The New York Times that the foundational level of career progression is facing disruption due to the impact of AI on conventional entry-level roles.

A Dramatic Decline in Entry-Level Hiring

Statistical data reveals a substantial decrease in hiring practices. A report from SignalFire indicates that recruitment of new graduates by the 15 largest technology companies has decreased by more than 50% since 2019.

Prior to the pandemic, graduates represented 15% of all hires within these major tech firms; however, this proportion has now fallen to only 7%.

Growth in Tech Roles Across Industries

Despite these challenges, the technology industry itself is not contracting. Instead, technological roles are becoming more dispersed, appearing in sectors such as healthcare, finance, and retail.

Projections indicate growth in tech employment, rising from 6 million positions this year to 7.1 million by 2034.

The Demand for AI Skills

While software developers currently experience an unemployment rate of 2.2% – lower than the national average – a key shift is occurring in required skillsets.

Companies are increasingly prioritizing AI expertise, with surveys showing that 87% of hiring managers value experience in this area.

Furthermore, approximately 25% of all current job postings now list AI skills as a requirement, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.

Key Takeaways

• Entry-level tech hiring has significantly decreased.
• The overall tech job market is still expanding, but diversifying.
• AI skills are becoming increasingly essential for job seekers.