The world of tech hiring sailed smoothly until 2020, a time when giants like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Apple, and Microsoft were in fervent pursuit of talent. They were the heralds of opportunity in an ever-expanding digital landscape.
The onset of Covid marked a peculiar peak, where everything digital saw exponential growth. This epoch, often reminisced as the “Golden Age” of tech, provided an easier passage into illustrious companies like FAANG.
Fast forward to 2025, and the scene has dramatically shifted.
Every day, more individuals find themselves caught in the whirl of layoffs. The climate feels dire for job seekers.
If you’re navigating the uncertain waters of employment in 2025, you must rise to be among the elite.
The Competition: It’s More Than Fresh Faces
You’re not only up against recent graduates, as around 200,000 new software engineers from India enter the fray annually. The competition is fierce, comprising seasoned professionals affected by layoffs, career-switchers enriched by coding bootcamps, and remote innovators from every corner of the globe.
Many in the U.S. feel overshadowed by counterparts in nations like India and Vietnam. Indeed, these countries brim with developers, but true expertise remains a rare gem.
There are far fewer truly skilled developers compared to the vast sea of professionals.
In this crowded arena, companies can cherry-pick applicants who bring deep experience or specializations in burgeoning fields like AI, quantum computing, and blockchain.
If everyone is hiring, why is finding a job so elusive?
Even roles considered entry-level now demand an impressive resume backed by over three years of practical experience, certifications, and a portfolio reflecting real-world impact. The expectations are sky high, as familiar technology stacks such as MERN saturate the landscape.
The stakes are high, but so are the rewards. For those who excel, roles in AI and DevOps promise significant salaries, with mid-level positions in India reaching upwards of $60,000—an equivalent of around $300,000 in the U.S.
In this vast pool, companies yearn for minds that can innovate, not just follow code. Yet, the reality on platforms like LinkedIn reveals the harsh odds—with a thousand candidates vying for a single role, and a mere 0.1% landing the opportunity.
Conventional wisdom urges the acquisition of skills, the polish of resumes, and relentless application submission. But sometimes, despite a stellar Leetcode profile, success remains elusive.
While difficult, the path forward is clear: learn, adapt, and never cease applying. Your next breakthrough may come from where you least expect.
Persevere through the storm; these are indeed challenging times.
