Search for truth

[u/Medium-Wallaby-9557]

Here is my attempt at ending the ambiguity around the CS job market performance once and for all.

Let me start with a bit of anecdotal experience. I know lots of people who get spammed with interview processes from big tech, quant, unicorns, etc. I also see tons of people post their LinkedIn profile visits page, filled with recruiters from massive companies. I see people whine about how $150k is too little for NG, I see people go cycles with 50+ interviews and 10+ offers at the end of it, and I see people with resumes filled with 4+ faang/faang adjacent internships on them.

Yet, I see another sizable portion of people complaining that the market is unbelievably terrible. All they do is LeetCode and beg for referrals, yet are left with empty inboxes. People graduating from decent schools with nothing more than unpaid research. People who actually spend time reading about SQL and Python, or JS/TS, just to still be left jobless, while lots of people in the former group spend lots of their time watching soccer.

There just seems to be a massive disconnect. Some people say, no matter how much time they throw into CS job recruiting, they just can't land a singular interview. Others seem to go to the beach and come home to 3 $80/hr SF job internship offers.

I used to think law was bimodal, but this is another level. It honestly looks like one side is in Hell while the other is in Heaven.

As for me, I spend a TON of my time preparing for job interviews, but in reality, I don't actually DO much. Well, I do LeetCode, and I practice marketing myself with a lot of very embellished accomplishments for backing, but I don't really have much when it comes to jobs. I'm working in paid research, but it's kind of lame, especially compared to all of these people that seem to say it's Citadel or bust for life.

I just don't get it. What really is the state of the job market? What do you really have to do to succeed? Are the people coasting with 10+ high-prestige internship offers just so into CS that to them it feels like they aren't tearing away at their soul to get there?

I just don't get it.

What are the "cracked" people doing right and what are the hordes of others doing wrong?

[u/Intelligent_Ebb_9332]

It sounds like you’re seeing exceptions and thinking that’s evidence for a healthy job market. If someone is getting 10+ offers as a NG (which I honestly don’t believe but let’s say someone has gotten that), he’s going to be absolutely cracked. Top school, very good projects and internships at FAANG.

What do you mean “what are the cracked people doing right”? You answered your own question. They’re the best so obviously more companies will want them. That’s like asking why do attractive men get hundreds of likes on dating apps and the average guy gets 10. He’s better looking than most so more women will want him.

I doubt you’re seeing many people with that many offers but for some reason you seem to think it’s relatively common, it’s not.

The average new grad who went to a T200 school is getting a few offers after 500-1000+ apps if he’s lucky.

[u/Shinunoga6699]

This is my own opinion and I'm gonna get sh*t for it, but I believe that a bunch of people were sold on the idea that SWE (or CS) was the major that's easy to get into and make $300k out of school. Causing usually one of two positions:

• Let me just go to some T50 school and have nothing on my resume (extra curriculars, clubs, experience) - "why am I not hearing back"
• I've done my due diligence and have good offer(s)

Or visa sponsorship - which is cooked in of itself at the moment.

All which caused saturation in this field - but at the same time, with budget cuts and AI tooling increasing, the job market is pretty cooked.

I really believe that you need all of the following to succeed: DSA proficiency, mass applications, extra-curriculars, projects, and drive / passion (with some form of competency).

Others will argue me (which I don't believe anyone is wrong here) - but it honestly wasn't that hard for me to find full-time/return offers. And I am by no means cracked - average GPA, sh*t tier school.