Software developers facing increased employment trouble

[Daniel Puchert]

Bad news for South African software developers

Hiring activity in the Information Technology (IT) sector declined in early 2024, and it is becoming significantly harder for software developers to get and pass interviews.

This is according to data from CareerJunction and OfferZen, the latter of which also revealed that junior developers are the hardest hit.

 

[Flojo]

Im sure the data from CareerJunction and OfferZen looks low, is because South African IT jobseekers are looking abroad.

 

[RedViking]

Im sure the data from CareerJunction and OfferZen looks low, is because South African IT jobseekers are looking abroad.

Or trying at least but struggle with lack of skills. Local companies probably also looking abroad

 

[clickingbuttons]

South African developers are kissing new jobs goodbye?

 

[clickingbuttons]

South African companies are kissing local software developers goodbye?

 

[MrGray]

Generative AI has increased productivity. I know, I know, it doesn't replace devs but it is definitely making them more productive. And even a mere 10% productivity increase ultimately means a 10% reduction in demand, everything else being equal.

 

[Flojo]

Or trying at least but struggle with lack of skills. Local companies probably also looking abroad

That too

 

[Pho3nix]

That too

They come back eventually as India quality isn't very sustainable

 

[joker08]

They come back eventually as India quality isn't very sustainable

Nope, quality is not the problem, communication skills is the problem... but they put up with it because u can't hire a senior developer in south africa for 20k a month.

 

[clickingbuttons]

Nope, quality is not the problem, communication skills is the problem... but they put up with it because u can't hire a senior developer in south africa for 20k a month.

Yeah indians produce OK results, it's just the communication part is quite frustrating.

"Do one thing"
"Click there"
etc

 

[joker08]

Yeah indians produce OK results, it's just the communication part is quite frustrating.

"Do one thing"
"Click there"
etc

I am Indian from India and I get frustrated when they speak ! imagine that. I sometimes end up speaking Hindi with them during a meeting because I just couldnt take it anymore. My scrum master actually thanked me when I did that last time
Unfortunately these contracting companies are hiring the cheapest of the cheapest resources available. Dont get me wrong, they are smart but most of times they are from rural parts of India where they haven't spoken english in their entire life.

 

[Bryn]

Not sure I'd care too much what local metrics say about software development in SA. Local companies are usually unwilling to pay rates that attract or retain top talent, and top talent is usually only interested in remote work for overseas companies.

 

[koeks525]

Not sure I'd care too much what local metrics say about software development in SA. Local companies are usually unwilling to pay rates that attract or retain top talent, and top talent is usually only interested in remote work for overseas companies.

Yip, +1. They don't want to pay good money for good talent, and their definition of paying someone well is by looking at the market averages

 

[longboy]

No Daniel Puchert - Software Devs are just facing racism/quotas/BEE here in South Africa.

Please ask Jan for a raise, you deserve it.

 

[Bliksis]

Or trying at least but struggle with lack of skills. Local companies probably also looking abroad

Local companies are doing it for financial reasons.

 

[Bryn]

Local companies are doing it for financial reasons.

Nothing costs more than s**t software/web developers in senior roles.

 

[Bliksis]

Nothing costs more than s**t software/web developers in senior roles.

Yep

 

[Gnome]

Generative AI has increased productivity. I know, I know, it doesn't replace devs but it is definitely making them more productive. And even a mere 10% productivity increase ultimately means a 10% reduction in demand, everything else being equal.

It has made no difference. The drop in jobs is because all tech companies laid off thousands off people.

 

[B-1]

Nothing costs more than s**t software/web developers in senior roles.

By then the exec that came in to be the hero and save so much money has moved on.

 

[cguy]

Im sure the data from CareerJunction and OfferZen looks low, is because South African IT jobseekers are looking abroad.

Also, both companies seem to target the lower end of the spectrum, which is going to be harder hit, and is also why juniors are even harder hit.