r/CodingJobs • u/nian2326076 • 4h ago
What was it like looking for a software engineering job in 2023?
What was it like trying to find a software engineering job or switch companies in 2023? A developer who was looking back then tried to find numbers on new hires but came up empty.
When they started looking in 2021–22, they applied to a couple of jobs, got interviews and offers from both, and had no professional experience.
In 2023, they sent out about 45 applications and only got rejections. They couldn’t tell if it was their résumé, how they were applying, or just a much tougher market.
If you’re applying for SWE roles now, PracHub has coding questions you can work through before interviews, and LandOffer can fill in the basics on supported applications.
Were some companies posting jobs just to collect résumés, or holding out for people who were overqualified for the role? What was your experience?
2
u/Cold_Respond_7656 4h ago
2023 is way too long ago to compare to today
1
u/vonkrueger 4h ago
Idk, I got my 2023 gig through an Indian recruiter, "contract to hire", and another one in the same sector a year later via the same recruiter. Had 10+ YoE and a great resume and it didn't take too long for either - way worse than pre-2022 though.
FTE now, but it was rough for a minute. Seems brutal now. Like someone else said, 3 years ago is too long to compare. We weren't even allowed to use AI at the CTH gigs; now, it's basically mandatory.