From AI engineers to full-stack developers, even the most popular tech careers today can go through slow hiring periods.
Tech is still one of the fastest-growing fields right now. Every year until 2033, about 356,700 new technology-related jobs are expected to open, which is more than most other industries.¹
But even with all that growth, there are certain times when economic events or company changes can slow down hiring. A quick look at tech hiring trends shows they don’t move in a straight line but are constantly fluctuating.²
While it’s normal for hiring trends to rise and fall, that doesn’t make it any easier for tech job seekers. Searching for a job is already challenging. But it becomes even harder when you’re looking during a slowdown, when opportunities feel fewer and harder to reach.
Still, a slower job market does not mean opportunities have disappeared. With the right approach, it’s still possible to stand out and land a good tech job—even when employers are hiring less.
Why Even In-Demand Roles Can See Slower Hiring
It might sound odd that even the most in-demand tech jobs can sometimes have slower hiring. But that’s quite normal. Understanding the common reasons behind these fluctuations can help you strategize better when applying for jobs during slower hiring seasons. Here are some of them:
Economic Uncertainty
Business leaders become more cautious when significant events happen in society, like political unrest or game-changing innovations. During uncertain economic times, companies often hold off on hiring for important roles until they know what to do next.
For instance, when ChatGPT gained a lot of attention a few years ago, companies paused hiring to figure out how artificial intelligence would impact their operations.³ Some even thought AI might replace jobs, including roles like software engineers and web developers. Employers didn’t want to rush into hiring new employees, especially if AI could change how work is done.
Internal Changes
Internal changes can include budget cuts or big company system updates.
One usual sign is layoffs, which usually mean the company has less money to spend on new hires. Even if they need highly demanded roles like machine learning engineers or enterprise architects, job openings may be delayed until the budget improves or plans are clearer.
Hiring can also slow down if the company reorganizes or updates its systems. The changes might require DevOps engineers or cloud engineers, but hiring can pause while the company works on these updates.
Seasonal Slowdowns
Hiring can slow down during certain times, such as the holidays, the end of a company’s fiscal year, or right after big sales events. These are times when companies are focused on wrapping up work, reviewing performance, or waiting for new budgets before hiring new people.
For example, a company might need a data scientist to study last year’s sales or a project manager to lead a new team. But during the holidays or at the end of the year, most teams are busy finishing work, so hiring is often delayed until the new year, when plans and budgets are ready.
How to Land a Job When Hiring Slows Down
Here are a few tips to help you increase your chances of landing a job in the tech industry, even when companies aren’t hiring as quickly.
1. Treat Your Job Search Like a Sales Cycle
In sales, a salesperson identifies potential customers, reaches out, follows up, and tries to close a deal. Similarly, you can target specific companies and research decision-makers in your job hunt and contact them directly to express your interest.
This will help you during slow hiring seasons because your applications will be more focused and organized. You can target companies that are less affected by the slowdown.
To do this, list the companies you want to work for and check how their hiring is going. If they’re still actively recruiting, contact them through traditional job boards, email, or LinkedIn. Introduce yourself and follow up in a week or two.
2. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
Part of being more focused in your job hunt is customizing your resume and cover letter for each job you apply to. This is important even during regular hiring times, but it’s especially necessary when hiring slows down, so you can make an even more targeted approach.
When customizing your resume, make sure it closely matches the job description. In your professional summary, you can also highlight your most relevant experience.
For example, if you’re applying for a network security position, you could say, “Experienced in safeguarding company networks and big data in dynamic and high-tech environments.”
3. Upskill to Match Industry Demands
Once you see a niche or a specific career path you’d like to pursue, it helps you to learn new technical skills or improve the ones you already have related to that role. Upskilling always makes candidates more appealing to employers.
You might also want to focus on trending tech roles for a more promising future, such as cloud computing, data science, or cybersecurity engineering.
You can do this while job hunting to have a more productive application season. To start, you can take free or low-cost online courses. Websites like Coursera offer certifications and programs on data analytics, software engineering, and more.
4. Leverage Your Professional Network
Sometimes, companies don’t immediately post job openings on job boards or career pages. Those not affected by slower hiring might already be looking for a role but haven’t publicized it yet. Good networking can lead you to hidden jobs even during slow hiring seasons.
Reach out to people you know, like software developers, data engineers, cloud architects, or anyone in the field you’re interested in. Even if they’re not in the exact role, try connecting with friends, family, or old classmates. You can hang out with them and casually ask if they have any job openings.
5. Maintain a Strong Online Presence
Social media is another great source of jobs during slow hiring seasons. Companies may not post on traditional job boards during these times to avoid too many applicants. Instead, they use platforms like LinkedIn to target the right candidates quickly.
Take advantage of this by making sure your online presence is strong. Update your profiles with your experience, tech skills, soft skills, personal projects, and portfolio. Being visible online increases your chances of being contacted for job opportunities.
Read More: Build a Standout Personal Brand: How to Win in a Competitive Job Market
6. Consider Freelance or Short-Term Work
If finding a full-time job takes longer than you hoped, try looking for freelance or short-term work. These jobs might not last, and they may usually be entry-level. But they help you stay busy, earn money, and keep your skills sharp while you keep searching.
This also helps you stay connected to the tech world. For example, software developers can get hired to build apps under a contract. Network architects might help set up company systems, while data analysts can work on reports or dashboards. If you do an excellent job, some of these roles can lead to full-time offers later.
7. Work with a Recruitment Firm
When companies slow down hiring, knowing who’s still actively looking for talent can be hard. A recruitment partner helps bridge that gap. They stay in touch with employers and often hear about openings before they’re posted publicly.
This insider knowledge is valuable when job listings are limited. Instead of applying blindly, you get help targeting the roles that match your strengths. A recruiter can also explain what specific companies are looking for and how to present yourself better for those roles.
Land your next tech job even during slow hiring seasons with Raso360.
Slow hiring periods don’t have to mean a slow career. With Raso360, you gain access to exclusive job opportunities in the tech industry, even when companies are hiring less. Our expert team works with leading employers to connect you with roles that match your skills and career goals.
Whether you’re looking to upskill, network, or find your perfect job match, we’re here to help you navigate the job market successfully. Get in touch with us today to start your journey toward your next tech career opportunity.
References:
- “Computer and Information Technology Occupations.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 29 Aug. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/.
- CompTIA. “Tech Jobs Report.” CompTIA, Apr. 2025, www.comptia.org/content/tech-jobs-report.
- “2024 Hiring Trends Report.” Karat, 2024, connect.karat.com/hubfs/Karat_2024_Hiring_Trends_Report.pdf.
