If you’re looking to become a software developer, you’re probably wondering about how tech companies have adjusted their recruitment processes to the pandemic reality and what the market looks like right now.

 

Read this article to learn about:
Key insights about the current situation in the IT job market,
Changes and trends in tech recruiting,
And get expert tips to help you land a great job amidst the pandemic.

 

• The shrinking tech recruitment market

 

What does the situation look like in Europe right now? Here are a few helpful statistics that paint an accurate picture of the tech job market today.

Talent.io gathered data from 5000 tech startups, unicorns, as well as corporate businesses using their recruitment platforms, and then combined it all with data from Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Indeed. Its report revealed this:

Across Europe as a whole, 38% of companies are freezing most or all of their tech recruitment.

In London, one of the hardest-hit regions in Europe, recruitment for permanent tech roles has fallen by 57%.

In mid-march, the number of companies creating new job listings for tech positions dropped by 50% (in comparison to traditional volumes).
We have also seen reports of tech giants like Airbnb, Lyft, Eventbrite, or Groupon scaling back during the pandemic and letting some of their staff go. 

According to data gathered by Layoffs.fyi, it’s the sales and marketing roles that were most likely to be at risk of coronavirus layoffs. But engineer roles were vulnerable as well.

These statistics show that the hiring demand within the tech sector dropped drastically. But it’s already on its way to recovering.

 

 

Here’s some good news

 

These statistics are alarming, but there’s no reason to panic. 

The report also revealed that 27% of organizations (the second-largest group) reported minimal impact to their tech hiring projects, so the majority of the recruitment for these companies will continue as previously planned. 

Moreover, the most recent weeks (from mid to late April) showed an upward trend in the number of companies posting open tech job positions weekly across all the studied markets. 

This means that tech companies have recovered from the initial shock and are firm in their belief that good technical products are worth the investment in the long-term, despite the present short-term circumstances.  

Naturally, we hope that this trend stabilizes over time.

 

How are job seekers responding to all this?

 

The report suggests that during the first couple of weeks during which Covid-19 began disrupting economic activity in Europe, tech professionals didn’t dedicate as much time and energy into job hunting. 

However, once that initial phase was over, job seekers returned to their previous volume. The report noted even higher levels of engagement among them, which means that if you’re looking for a job right now, you might be facing competition (depending on the region).

 

5 tips for job seekers during the time of a pandemic 

 

1. Focus on sectors that are hiring 

Some industries were lucky and haven’t been hit as hard by the pandemic as others. Here are three areas that are thriving in the tech industry right now.

 

Big Data

Big Data is in high demand today. Why is that? Governments, institutions, businesses, and individuals need to monitor as many elements as possible that relate to the pandemic and its effects on business. That’s why data science has so much potential in the current situation. 

Data-gathering and analysis are crucial for policy-makers, business leaders, and scientists – they all need access to data analytics reports to understand the rapidly changing situation and form adequate responses to new developments.

 

AgTech

Also called AgriTech, technological innovation in agriculture is having its moment today as well. The need for a stable, worldwide food supply remains stable even when we face an economic crisis.  

Traditional agriculture is under more pressure than ever because of the increasing demand. Due to the current travel restrictions, the sector is also experiencing a shortage of seasonal workers. In response to these challenges, agriculture companies are investing in systems that drive efficiency in the food supply chains and mitigate disruptions. This is a very exciting field of the tech industry right now.

 

Media and communication

The demand for media and communication technology solutions is on the rise because consumers look for various sources of entertainment under lockdowns and social distancing measures. Technology plays a crucial role in this area. If you’re looking for a job, start by checking the positions offered in this vertical.

 

2. Take advantage of downtime 

The current downtime offers an excellent opportunity to catch up on all of the tasks you usually do last minute. For example, you can use the time to:

• Update your resume and LinkedIn profile, 
• Clean up your social media pages, 
• Gather references (aim for people who are somehow connected to the company to which you’re applying or know the hiring manager directly),
• Properly research every company you apply to (become familiar with its priorities and style),
• Craft a personalized message to its hiring manager (many of them are now working from home and are more likely to respond to a direct outreach).

 

3. Check your video conferencing setup before the interview

You’d be surprised at how many things can go wrong during a remote job interview. To make the experience smooth and stress-free, prepare beforehand. Technical issues are sometimes beyond our control and can disrupt conference calls, but struggling with tech isn’t going to help you if you’re applying to a tech company (which often hires remote employees under regular circumstances).

Here are a few tips to help you ace a job interview:

• – Test out all functionality of your video conferencing app in advance to avoid hiccups during the meeting (audio settings, camera access, and screen sharing).
• – Be well-prepared and engaged in the conversation.
• – Choose a quiet, well-lit space in your homes. 

 

 

4. Show empathy

Demonstrate that you’re a great potential hire by being sensitive to the potential impact the pandemic had on the organization to which you’re applying. Hiring managers are always looking for candidates who show an authentic interest in the company. 

By being aware of how the company approaches this difficult time, you’ll set yourself apart from other candidates. So be sure to mention that you’re aware of the challenging times in the industry or vertical to which the company belongs.

 

5. Don’t go for just any job

You might be desperate to land your next job. But that doesn’t mean that you should say yes to any opportunity that comes your way. Ask yourself twice whether the job in question is worthwhile. Getting a job that you don’t feel particularly enthusiastic about is going to affect your job satisfaction and performance in the long run. 

Employers want to hire people who are interested in their company’s work, mission, and vision. A mismatch in this area can cause a problem. The culture fit is more important than ever, so be prepared to tell recruiters why you’re interested in their company.

Think well about the exact type of location, sector, company, function, role, and salary you would like to find before starting your job search. That way, you’ll be able to objectively evaluate potential opportunities against your personal criteria and avoid wasting time on applying for jobs you don’t feel that passionate about.

 

You can do it!

 

Entering the IT industry has become slightly more challenging today than it was before, but if you have the right skills and passion, you can still land a great job. As companies reevaluate their approaches and invest in their products, they’re slowly unfreezing their recruitment process and looking for people who would help them survive through tough times. Show that you’re one of them, and you’re bound to succeed.

Are you looking for more insights for job seekers in the tech industry? Be sure to check other articles on our blog where we publish content from experts about career and skills development in IT.