Went to a networking/job fair event with some new grad and junior friends last week. Over 800 people in a little venue with a bunch of DEI local groups, small companies and a couple contracting shops. You could tell the new ones in their dress clothes and ties, desperately talking to anyone they could be to maybe get a LinkedIn connection. Hopeful but hopeless faces just trying to get in, knowing most of them wouldn't land something. I felt so sad for my friends, I can't get them into my roles, we have hundreds if not thousands of applicants per role, they end up in the trash pile of resumes. No one's hiring juniors, feels like 2008 all over again just for tech. I know it's way worse in Asia, even with a lot of people coming from there to fight for these positions too. My heart hurts for everyone trying to get their foot in the door Has anyone had any success in getting hired as a junior recently? As a senior in a stable place I feel super fortunate but besides "keep trying to get in with recruiters and keep applying" I don't know how to help.
I have noticed similar situations even in my close friend group.. those looking for internships and entry level positions are struggling hard. I got lucky, but only because of networking and meeting the right people. Honestly nowadays it’s just who you know rather than what you know. I’ve never done one leet code question and got my first cert after starting in my role full time and still landed a big tech job. It really is just about networking and being good in social situations imo.
Current company is not hiring entry level at all. Only sr, staff, principle, or DE
Why? Wrong place, wrong time. That's the worst sin.
It does not matter if you start at a tier 2/3. You have a lot of time to eventually get into faang. There is no limit to the number of positions you can apply for and many folks got into faang even in their late 30s early 40s. You don’t need to consider yourself a failure if you don’t get into faang as soon as you graduate
Interesting logic… if you are not in faang then you’re a failure. Really wonder what hacking groups have to say about it… those guys make seven and eight figures per year.
Hacking groups? Do you have an example of a company or a group like that? I assume you’re not talking about pentesting companies etc
There are new grad opportunities, just not in the US but in low cost locations.
I feel bad for people who have lost jobs due to corporate greed who have homes and families to take care of. Your coddled 22 year old entry level workers likely have close to zero debt and could actually get away with entry level service work while waiting to land one of their first gigs. In fact, this is really how the world worked 20+ years ago. No software Eng fresh out of college deserved a $200K salary in the last 1-5 years.
The area I live in doesn't really have $200k+ TC jobs though. It's a MCOL area where the tech jobs pay like $75-125k and we're talking medium sized local companies. Blind forgets these people exist because most of us are coddled tech bros stacking $$$$ complaining our lives suck. I came from $50-100k entry tech jobs to get to the high end ones so coming back to that is always a reminder. Some of these people just want to get their career started period.
What 22 yo do you know has no debt? Most of my friends have all taken out private loans to be able to afford college tuition. Tuition is not the same as it was 25 years ago?? If you go to a reputable private college in 2024 you’re looking at anywhere from $45,000-$90,000 a year in just tuition (not including living expenses) . Don’t try to cope that you’re getting outclassed and outsmarted by gen z grads Ignorant comment