The 2025 Tech Job Market - The Good, the Bad, and the “Huh?”
So, here we are—2025. If you've been job-hunting in tech lately, you know it’s been a rollercoaster. Based on my recent chats with recruiters, the hiring scene is cautiously optimistic but with a heavy dose of "let's not get too excited just yet." Here’s what’s really happening out there and what it means for both job seekers and companies trying to hire.
Jobs Are Coming Back... Slowly
Good news: Hiring is picking up. Bad news: It's happening at the speed of a tortoise hopped up on valium. Companies are no longer panic-hiring like they did in the wild tech booms of 2021-2022, but they are hiring—just more thoughtfully. Instead of stacking up teams like a 90's kid collecting Pogs, businesses are actually taking time to make sure they bring in the right people.
If you’re in go-to-market roles, congrats! That’s moving the fastest right now. Product and engineering? It’s taking a little longer, but Q2 is looking promising—assuming, of course, the world doesn’t throw another curveball our way (cough, tariffs, cough, cough).
Strategic Hires Only, Please
Gone are the days when companies just grabbed whoever had "Product Manager" on their LinkedIn. If you've got niche expertise or strong leadership chops, you're in luck. Series A and B companies—especially the ones that hit pause on hiring until after the election—are starting to move. They need strategic thinkers to steer the ship, not just row the boat.
The catch? If you're too experienced, companies may fear you’ll get bored and bail. It’s a weird market where being overqualified can be a red flag. So that's a thing.
Fractional Work Isn't Going Anywhere
Let’s talk about the fractional tech economy. More companies are warming up to fractional work, blending AI with humans in a way that makes consultants and part-time execs more appealing. Some companies even think they can build entire teams without hiring full-time employees.
Shameless plug alert - that’s where Motley Collective shines. We help businesses get top-tier talent without needing to go all-in on full-time hires. Need a strategic hire for a few months? A whole team to launch a new product? We’ve got you covered.
Networking Is Your Best Bet
If your job search strategy is to randomly apply to jobs online in "spray and pray" approach, I’ve got bad news for you. Recruiters and hiring managers trust their networks way more than any résumé that lands in their inbox. Cold applications? Mostly useless. If you’re not networking, you’re missing out.
This is another area where Motley Collective is changing the game. We're not just about gigs—we're about community. Whether you need an intro to a hiring manager or want to tap into the collective brainpower of experts, we’re here for it.
Make Your Value Really Clear
For fractional professionals, clarity is everything. Recruiters say too many people list a million roles on their résumés, making them look scattered. Instead, tighten it up. Position yourself in a way that makes it crystal clear what you bring to the table.
This is why Motley Collective exists—to help professionals (and companies) cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters. We’re expanding our offerings in the coming months, so stay tuned for more ways to make the most of this evolving market.
Final Thoughts
Tech hiring is back, but it’s more selective than ever. If you’re job-hunting, focus on networking, positioning yourself strategically, and staying open to fractional opportunities. If you’re hiring, be smart about it—don’t just look for "butts in seats," look for the right people at the right time.
And hey, if you need help navigating all of this? That’s exactly what Motley Collective is here for. Let’s make hiring (and job-hunting) suck less in 2025.
