256k jobs added in December, yet anecdotal experience tells me this is the roughest tech job market since the great recession. Why the disconnect?

likesmarthelpfulfunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

I saw some business writers a while back saying we're experiencing a white-collar recession. That seems about right, the general economic numbers are pretty good, and have been for the past few years. But a lot of companies, especially tech companies, seem wary of doing much hiring. I guess everyone was hoping and assuming things would pick up in the new year, but now with all the talk of tariffs and other upcoming economic chaos, that doesn't seem to be in the cards.

likehelpful

Well sure the difference in salary between blue collar and white collar is about $65-100k rightfully so.

like

The disconnect is that the overall market can be performing well even if one sector is performing badly. Not every industry experiences the same cycles at the same time. If you were looking for healthcare jobs, you would think the jobs market was good.

likehelpfulsmart
Recent IconRecent

256K tech jobs or just jobs? Tech has had an extreme amount of growth in the past 4 years. It's leveling off and the 256K jobs are probably sectors not Tech.

Indeed the over hiring was all the way up to the end of 2023 it seems because last year focused on many layoffs and so far 2025 seems to be posting some positions now.

like

The "Trump bump" in corporate confidence hasn't made it's way to leftist tech companies yet. Give it another 6-18 months for improvement to real GDP, and tech will come back (as it always does).

there’s a lot of fake jobs out there. ever see linkedin postings over half a yr old? they’re just collecting resumes and possibly meet some regulatory requirements

Are these 256k tech jobs?

Overall job adds doesn't necessarily correlate to tech jobs. It wouldn't surprise me if tech job adds are reducing because of AI -- both in practical terms of AI replacing real people and in terms of tech execs slowing hiring with the belief AI will fill the roles eventually.

And yet nobody seems to be seriously talking about AI taking white collar jobs. Not the way people responded to automation threatened to take blue collar jobs. We should be talking unionization or other job protections.

AI

Based on growth of population, new graduates and new 18 year olds we need roughly 250,000 jobs A MONTH on average just to maintain the same participation rate.
So 256k doesn't impress, it's treading water.
The IT hiring process is rough though, it's largely a broken system at this point.

Related Posts

How feasible is it to transition out of compliance into legal practice?

like

I currently make 78k at Lockheed but I’m not doing what I’d like to be doing and i felt stuck and after many conversations with my manager and no solution in sight, I started applying elsewhere. I just recently got an offer from a smaller AI company for 95k that I plan to accept. I’m happy to make the jump, I just don’t know how my manager/coworkers will react when I tell them I’m leaving.

likeuplifting

MBB fish: what happens when an Associate/Consultant is found to be enrolled in a PT MBA, after not telling anyone during the interview process? Is that cause for termination?

like

Does UBS pay relocation bonus?

like

Opportunity in EY India for Java with Angular developer role having Notice Period of 30 days. If Interested kindly DM me.

like

Everyone coming into NZ from somewhere else will now need to self quarantine for 14 days. And no cruise ships can dock until after 30 June. Good luck my fellow Antipodeans.

Hello fishes

Please help me out below are my details
YOE: 10
CCTC: 9.5
Skill: SAP FICO/HANA

If feel it is very low package. I did certification in SAP CFIN so how is the market for CFIN
Any suggestions

Thanks
here

Since we returned to office in October, is it appropriate to give holiday gifts to team members?

likeuplifting

Just got a lateral hire offer for a Sr Associate role with BCG. Contract states that I can go for Consultant promo in 12 months. I'm interpreting this as, if I don't make the promo threshold in 12 months, I'd be counseled out. Is this a reasonable assumption? Or would I get a few more months of time to work on feedback?

I'm nervous - should I be? :(

like

Anyone else have family know you are struggling to conceive and then when their kids act out they turn to you and say, “you sure you want kids?” I guess they are trying to lighten things but I find it really hurtful.

like

Is anyone else lending / giving money to their parents? I've already given a significant amount and can't help but feel resentment, especially when there's no willingness on their part to budget...

like

TFW you look at yourself in the mirror at the hair stylist and realize your face looks like a bag of smashed assholes after too many screen hours, airport hours, and drinks...

like

Hi all,


Hope all is well.


After 1st round of interview in Deloitte Qatar followed by Online test, Reference and Background check.

I am waiting for the response now. It is been a week or more than that.

I just wanted to know the possibility of getting hired now. If anyone can assist me with this please assist me with some positive comments.

Thank You

like

Booyahh, landed hedge fund number 2 for IPOs.

like

Hi All,
I’m putting to get together mentorship ideas for this bowl. If you are an executive creative director, account/media director (and above) or you own your own agency/consultancy and you would like to participate, please PM me.

like

What are actionable items one should strive for when trying to grow as a designer after landing their first role? I hear a lot about ways to grow to land the first job but very little about how to improve after you know the basics.

like

Tips on writing marketing company that sounds organic and punchy?

like

Any recommendations for Tennis lessons here in Austin? North or downtown (but any recommendations works)

like

Bose QC 25/35 users: anything specific you listen to when on longer flights? Don't download music to my phone and Pandora/Spotify can be spotty. Wondering if anyone downloads white noise or something

like

Any book recommendations for philosophy, psychology, and business? Or any book you read last year changed your values? Going to fly international, gonna read it on flight. 😍

like

Additional Posts in Tech

Happy Monday afternoon to everyone except to those recruiters who ghost job seekers 👻

likefunny

Been trying to find a new job because $112k just doesn't seem right for 3+ years as an Eng 3. On the east coast wanting to move out to California. Not getting many bites. Do employers ignore applications for people who would need to relocate?

likefunny

Is it a bad idea to leave tech and try something else if I want to go back to tech eventually? For context I have the opportunity to move to London and pivot into a new field for me but the job is at an agency. I know I’d want to eventually go back to tech but paranoid it’ll be more difficult - thoughts?

like

I’m a Junior product manager with a Master’s in Healthcare Management. I feel like the current company that I am at has my title as JPM, but I am doing PM work i.e creating product roadmaps, collaborating across stakeholders (business, marketing, design teams), creating user stories/features, etc. and I feel like my work isn’t being valued and I’m constantly being micromanaged by business teams expectations.

How feasible is it for me to apply to a PM role with less than a year of experience?

like

Why do FAANG companies pay above market not just for Eng talent but other non-core functions? Like HR or other functions that are largely similar anywhere else

like

Anyone know much about the start up scene in E Africa? I hear a lot of general talk about how it’s ‘booming’ but can’t find much information online. I’m in a weird position where I’m trying to switch into tech but am moving to Kampala for the next year. I am applying now to remote jobs in the U.S. but would love to connect with companies operating in the region.

like

Serious question… if I am interested in becoming a CTO/CDO one day, what should I do for the next 5-8 years to prepare for this? Are there specific roles in tech that prepares you for a CTO role? I am currently in sales engineering with over a decade in consulting experience.

like

Tech companies who have gone remote since the pandemic: do you get a stipend for home internet or a mobile hot spot for when your home internet goes out? Some of my employees are having issues that directly impact their ability to join customer calls, but my company’s IT department doesn’t offer any support. Wondering if that’s still the norm.

like

Does Steve Ballmer own up to his mistakes at Microsoft these days?

like

What is the salary expectations for DevOps or SRE roles in canada? 5 years of experience.

Hey everyone, I have my first interview coming for Project Management role at Meta. Any tips or recommendations? Does anyone know the layout of the interview?

likehelpful

Need advice in choosing between 2 offers :
Company 1 : $170k base + 10% bonus + 136k rsu + 5k sign on
Cons : junior title\level, hybrid

Company 2 : $150k base + 10% bonus
Pros : senior role\title, fully remote

Would you go for junior role for high salary? Would it hurt in future?

Current: unemployed.
Location: Bay Area
Thanks in advance.

like

Hey everyone - I could do with some advice. Not sure what I am doing wrong, but I am having a hard time getting interview calls. I am trying to pivot from consulting to the industry and targeting project/program management roles. I have been doing this work for 7+ years now (total YOE 12 years) so certainly have the right skillset. I have tried a couple of referrals too but that didn’t help either. Any advice you guys could provide would be helpful. Thanks!

like

How do companies now view candidates from Meta?

like

I’m up for a promotion at work and I have no idea how much to ask for since it’s not a standard position. Currently I’m a team lead and manage about 8 technicians, my promotion will be to a regional service delivery manager, and I will be managing over 30 in 3 locations. I went from a tier 1 engineer in managed servers to team lead with about a 10k increase in salary.I’m thinking about a 15k increase this time from 65k to 80k. Anybody in managed services have a similar position to compare

like

Hi all! Looking for some advice please!
I am looking to stir my career into a Project Management role. I have some work experience in managing IT Projects but don't have the title. Is working towards a PMP Certificate worth investing time and money in worth it or should I just apply for a PM role?
Thank you in advance!

like

Hey guys.. can someone help me with the salary bracket for Manager at EY tech consulting ? Position is in the US

like

What’s the salaries for network architect these days ?

like

Should those of us who write code be taking a moral/ethical responsibility for what the code is used for?

likesmart

l am currently a rising junior in
college interning this summer at
Amazon as a Business Analyst. I
would really like to break into
product management and believe in
my 5 weeks so far I have shown skills
to back that up. Would it be
acceptable to ask my manager to
recommend me for a product
management internship next
summer? My midpoint meeting with
my manager (and his manager) is
next Friday

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal