While I agree with you about SWE becoming increasingly commoditized (it 100% is), I'd disagree with comparing it with Secretary work - that industry is in complete free fall due to automation.
A better comparison for SWE would probably be Accounting and Law - both saw salaries stagnate as the number of entry level candidates skyrocketed, but once you get your foot in the door there is a solid path forward.
On top of that, because margins are so high in the software industry (50-70% compared to 1-10% in most other industries) there is a lot more cushion to support SWE salaries.
> with an economy downturn
We (in the US) aren't in an economic downturn anymore. Stocks have been rallying, GDP growth is some of the highest globally for the developed world, inflation has been tamped down, and local investment has skyrocketed.
On top of that, software is now viewed as critical by all organizations - and the ATT outage only highlighted that point even further.
> now a job has 200-300 applicants and they aren't bots
Because you'd be an idiot if you don't mass apply using your resume. Everyone does it, so you have to as well.
This strategy is what has been taught by University Career Services and upperclassmen since I was in college.
Greenhouse and Lever apps make it very easy to apply to a job as well, and a number of us just automate the application process to keep a healthy pipeline of interviews (for practice or the option to leave for another role)
It just feels like a downturn to the average person. A lot of this supposed growth is the real purchasing power of the dollar dropping precipitously leading to an asset bubble. And what economic growth is real trickles down to the middle class in the form of stagnant salaries and layoffs.
Tons of jobs created: yeah, but minimum income ones that nobody wants. Middle class job creation is stagnant or negative. Inflation tamped down: yes, primarily by manipulating the CPI calculation. Real prices are still rising.
I agree with your comments more than the parent you are replying to. Inflation is staggering. Those of us, mostly older people, with lots of capital are benefiting by the booming stock prices, etc., but average workers whose income is mostly salary are screwed.
I do think things are generally good right now, and I expect because of the upcoming presidential election the economy will be manipulated to look good, but we will hit an inflection point where the cost of paying interest on government and personal debt will collapse the economy, at least for a while.
I have what is probably a worthless prediction: the many democracies, true democracies, around the world will generally do all right over the next ten years, but I think the US, Russia, and China will all have serious problems. There are exceptions to this: countries like South Korea will also have problems stemming from really low birth rates. So, I am betting most of the world will do quite well over the long term, but a few countries will not.
I would say that a lot of the economy feeling bad is due to shrinkflation and jacked prices which happened during Covid that will never return to “normal.” Even if inflation is normal this year, it will still feel bad compared to recent memory, because in the last couple of years it increased by much more.
There is another aspect where most people I know (including low income in low cost of living areas) can often live comfortably, but some things like buying a house are absolutely less accessible.
> you'd be an idiot if you don't mass apply using your resume. Everyone does it, so you have to as well.
I've been on the receiving end of mass applications. If you stopped justifying your spam behind "everyone does it" (no they don't) and started tailoring your applications, leaning on your network (or building one up) you may need a lot fewer.
I have never mass applied, so I may seem idiotic to you. But even during the times I quit a job before looking for another, I've never been on the market for more than 2 weeks.
A better comparison for SWE would probably be Accounting and Law - both saw salaries stagnate as the number of entry level candidates skyrocketed, but once you get your foot in the door there is a solid path forward.
On top of that, because margins are so high in the software industry (50-70% compared to 1-10% in most other industries) there is a lot more cushion to support SWE salaries.
> with an economy downturn
We (in the US) aren't in an economic downturn anymore. Stocks have been rallying, GDP growth is some of the highest globally for the developed world, inflation has been tamped down, and local investment has skyrocketed.
On top of that, software is now viewed as critical by all organizations - and the ATT outage only highlighted that point even further.
> now a job has 200-300 applicants and they aren't bots
Because you'd be an idiot if you don't mass apply using your resume. Everyone does it, so you have to as well.
This strategy is what has been taught by University Career Services and upperclassmen since I was in college.
Greenhouse and Lever apps make it very easy to apply to a job as well, and a number of us just automate the application process to keep a healthy pipeline of interviews (for practice or the option to leave for another role)