Aussie Tech Jobs: Are We Picking Up Speed or Still Stuck in First Gear?

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of people reaching out asking me the same sorts of questions:

“How are you finding the market? Is it finally picking up? Are you seeing more tech jobs around”

I don't really have a straight answer to that, because truth be told, since the pandemic, every prediction I've seen about the job market has seemed to be inaccurate, so after a while, I put the crystal ball away and stopped trying to figure out what the hell was going in. Instead, I strapped myself in and got ready to go on whatever roller coaster was next in store for me as a recruiter in this rapidly changing and unpredictable job market! But seeing as this seems to be a topic that people want me to explore a bit more, today we're diving headfirst into the ever-so-slightly-uncertain world of the Australian tech job market.

Disclaimer: I am in no way an expert in economics or on the Tech Job Market (outside of the software space, where I do take pride in having a certain level of expert knowledge) so this is all based on my opinions formed from a culmination of my experiences over the last 12-18 months along with conducting my own research. I’m keen to hear from people who have differing opinions based on their own experiences and research.

Let's be honest, the past year has been a rollercoaster. We saw a tech sector boom, reports boasting about massive growth and a seemingly insatiable demand for skilled developers. Then, in mid 2022, the whispers started of the scenarios that we all feared – hiring freezes, layoffs, and a general sense of tightening belts, right before we were all plunged into the inevitable market downturn over the course of 2023, and in a lot of people's experience, we’ve been stuck there ever since. 

In my personal experience of this year so far, we’re definitely seeing an uptick in the market, it started with companies starting to hire their Talent folk back into recruitment roles for their businesses, followed by conservative but obvious recruitment campaigns being rolled out across the board. Sure enough, I’m now getting leads within the market about heavy hitters such as Canva, Atlassian, TikTok, Microsoft & Meta rolling out recruitment campaigns within Australia.

So, the big question is: is the Aussie tech job market finally starting to pick up again, or has the recent uptick in hiring been a false start given the new financial year?

There's Been Some Chatter:

Let's not sugarcoat it – news outlets and online forums have been buzzing with anxieties about the tech industry. Headlines like "Tech Jobs on the Decline?" and "Is the Dream Run Over?" haven't exactly instilled confidence in job seekers. Here's the thing, there's some truth to these concerns. There have definitely been some bumps in the road, despite the recruitment campaigns that seem to be emerging, we're still hearing reports of layoffs across the board.

But Wait, There's More to the Story:

Before we hit the panic button and start applying for barista gigs (because, let's face it, it might seem easier to get a job in a cafe at the moment), let's take a look at the other side of the story. Remember that little uptick I mentioned earlier? According to reports from the ABS over the last few months, Aussie job opportunities are definitely on the rise! 

Unfortunately, their data doesn't provide data specific to the tech industry, but overall it offers valuable insights into the general job market that can be positive indicators for tech jobs as well. Here are some positive statistics to consider:

Overall Employment Increase: 

In trend terms, in May 2024, employment increased by 38,700 people (0.3%) across the board.

It’s very hard to get up-to-date studies on 2024 when we’re only halfway through the year but I also managed to find a few interesting documents, and while employment & job opening rates are not explicitly stated in these publications, the reports do indicate a positive shift in dynamic and evolution occurring in the Tech industry. See the ITP 2024 Employment and Remuneration Report & Australian Tech Leaders Survey 2024 if you’re keen to suss this out for yourself. This ongoing growth often translates to a need for new talent, which could lead to more jobs across various tech sectors.

So, What Does This Mean for You?

The truth is, it depends. The Aussie tech job market isn't easy to navigate right now – it's a complex ecosystem with different trends playing out across various sectors and skill sets. While some companies might be cautious, others are still hungry for top talent. 

….The key takeaway? Don't get discouraged by the headlines.

Here are some tips to navigate the landscape:

• Stay Sharp: Keep your skills honed and your resume updated. Brush up on the latest technologies and trends to stay competitive.

• Network Like Crazy: Leverage your network! Attend industry events, connect with recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn, and let your network know you're on the job hunt.

• Target Wisely: Research companies that are still actively hiring – they're out there! Look for companies in growth phases or those focusing on emerging technologies.

• Be Flexible: Be open to different roles and opportunities. Don't get hung up on one specific title – your skills might be a perfect fit for a slightly different position.

The Final Word: It's Not All Doom and Gloom

The Australian tech industry is resilient. While there might be some temporary adjustments, the long-term outlook remains positive. The demand for skilled tech professionals is here to stay. So, stay positive, keep your skills sharp, and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. The right opportunity might just be waiting around the corner.

Now, I'd love to hear from you about your personal experience, whether you’re a job seeker or an individual working in Talent!

What are your experiences with the Aussie tech job market? Are you seeing signs of recovery? Share your thoughts in the comments below!!