It feels like companies are only looking for backend or fullstack developers lately
What’s going on
It’s all about cost. Companies are hiring people who can cover multiple roles.
Jordan said:
It’s all about cost. Companies are hiring people who can cover multiple roles.
That’s a well-known joke around here.
Job postings that want you to do five different jobs at once.
Caiden said:
@Bailey
Totally agree. They want candidates who can do everything for less money.
Looking for entry-level folks with five years experience in seventeen languages and also scrum master certified. Oh and a pilot’s license too.
Caiden said:
@Bailey
Totally agree. They want candidates who can do everything for less money.
They want cheap and more work done
They have turned into full stack roles.
Murphy said:
They have turned into full stack roles.
This is probably the main reason. I have been a frontend developer for over 20 years and in recent years I’ve started picking up backend skills because that’s where things are heading.
@Niko
I only have 7+ years but I’m experiencing the same trend. Last year I got much more involved with backend development on my team and transitioned to full stack. I don’t mind it, I even enjoy it, but it’s a shame there’s less focus on hiring frontend specialists, which affects code quality.
@Niko
What kind of backend stack are you working with? Are you still on the frontend side with stuff like express and nodejs or have you moved to .Net or java?
Vern said:
@Niko
What kind of backend stack are you working with? Are you still on the frontend side with stuff like express and nodejs or have you moved to .Net or java?
Are you masochistic or something?
@Niko
I’ve been a backend developer for over 4 years now but I’m starting to get involved with frontend as well.
@Niko
Is it just the current economy that makes it seem like frontend is merging into full stack, or is that a long term trend?
Murphy said:
They have turned into full stack roles.
Currently, I’m a frontend dev but built a small CRUD web app with node/express to get practice with backend and add it to my resume. I’m now learning .NET because there are lots of job opportunities and I’m planning to do the same there.
Honestly, I was surprised at how much quicker it was to build the backend compared to the frontend.
Just preparing in case I get laid off.
The only frontend roles I see are very specific senior positions that also require UI/UX research skills. I don’t expect to see many entry to mid-level frontend jobs for a while, and I believe that’s the case for many other areas too.
They hire front end folks as fullstack and then complain when their fullstack developers use React server-side rendering to make the frontend function as the full stack.
This trend has been around as long as software development. It happens every time at the same points in the year.
Hiring slows down toward the end of the fiscal year as budgets wrap up. In the spring, hiring usually picks up again. Once budgets are sorted out and new projects begin, companies start hiring again.
AI talk is amusing. While some say AI will replace developers, it’s really not that straightforward. And what your boss thinks AI can do is often way off.
That said, current AI tools do help individual developers become more productive.
The yearly trend continues along with the idea of doing more with less, alongside an influx of new candidates and current visa issues.
Check back in spring.
