Nearly three-quarters (74%) of developers are actively looking for a new role, or at least open to new opportunities, according to a StackOverflow survey.
Among the most demanding are young developers: 27% of 20-24-year-olds would actively seek a new job, compared to 21% of 25-34-year-olds, 17% of 35-44-year-olds and only 12% of 45-year-olds – 54 years old.
The survey of 2,600 developers also highlights that the proportion of young developers who are actively looking for a job change has increased by nine points in one year.
Target profitable companies in your job search
However, Prashanth Chandrasekar, CEO of StackOverflow, advises developers to ensure the profitability and liquidity of the business they are targeting.
“Developers – and anyone considering switching, for that matter – need to do their due diligence. The economy is volatile and should remain so. We will inevitably see various companies going bankrupt,” he warns.
“Look for organizations that are well capitalized and have a realistic prospect of profitability. I also advise all developers to keep learning. Technology changes quickly and those who continuously develop their skills will always be the most attractive to employers .”
Demand remains strong
Despite the recent spate of layoffs in the technology sector, Prashanth Chandrasekar believes that developers need not worry as most companies continue to upgrade their technology.
“Developers can remain confident in their employment prospects as they remain in high demand. Regardless of sector, all the CIOs/CTOs I speak with plan to modernize their technologies by 2023,” he says.
According to the CEO, that attitude should not change despite the economic uncertainty. The problem is that the pool of untapped and available technical talent is not that big. This is why the latest wave of layoffs, while highly publicized, does not signal a reversal of the long-standing imbalance that remains between supply and demand from developers.
Salary is not everything
Of the developers surveyed, only 54% believe that a better salary is the most important motivating factor for changing jobs. “Regardless of the economic situation, it is clear that the salary is important, but it is not everything”, stresses Prashanth Chandrasekar.
To retain a developer, the best arguments are therefore salary (54%), but also learning opportunities (54%) and, above all, flexibility (58%).
Developers also want flexibility in their hours and work from home: among those surveyed, 46% complain about having to start and end their work day at a specific time, and 44% about having to travel to work in an office.
Source: ZDNet.com
