What to Expect in the Tech Job Market in 2024

Table of Contents

• Who’s Hiring Bootcamp Grads in 2024?
• The Biggest Tech Trend of 2023: AI Tools
• What’s on the Horizon: Tech Trends to Look For in 2024

It’s no surprise that 2023’s biggest tech trend was generative AI tools and capabilities. But how will that trend affect a bootcamper’s hireability in 2024? Two experts from Hack Reactor by Galvanize, Lena Johnson (Head of Career Services) and Zubair Desai (Curriculum & Instruction, Lead Software Engineer) map out the programming languages and soft skills employers will be looking for in tech hires in 2024. Plus, find out how Hack Reactor bootcamps have already upgraded to include the latest AI tools, like GitHub Copilot so graduates can confidently start their tech careers. 

So Zubair, what are the 4 programming languages that will make you more employable in 2024?

While we can’t predict the future, if we use 2023 to inform us, we’re still seeing JavaScript, Python, and SQL significantly prevailing over all others as the most used languages. 

React continues to be the most used front-end framework. 

And what are the soft skills that you’re hearing from employers? 

Zubair: When we survey principal engineers, CTOs, and engineering hiring managers, we’re still hearing that with regards to Jr. Engineers, the top three things they’re looking for are:

1. Critical thinking/problem-solving skills
2. Software engineering fundamentals
3. Teamwork experience

With the rise and integration of generative AI tools, expect these three areas to be far more heavily weighted in 2024 than language and framework specifics.

If you deliberately improve your critical thinking/problem-solving skills, software engineering fundamentals, and teamwork experience, you can position yourself as someone who is able to safely leverage the latest technologies (including generative AI) many times over compared to someone who is only able to highlight their programming knowledge. Solid programming knowledge is just a starting point – especially in 2024, employers will want to see more emphasis in those other areas.

And Lena, are there any new soft skills that employers may be asking for in 2024?

In 2024, employers are looking for soft skills like adaptability and resilience – the ability to roll with the punches, learn from setbacks, and thrive in a changing work landscape. Adaptable employees can maintain their performance and composure in the midst of shifting markets, tech trends, and unforeseen challenges. Resilient employees can bounce back, learn, and stay positive in tough times, creating a workforce that is innovative, productive, and striving for improvement. The combination of these qualities enables organizations to be productive throughout big and small transitions. 

Our coding bootcamps help students cultivate adaptability and resilience by exposing them to diverse challenges and technologies while facilitating collaboration with teammates who have varied perspectives. This approach prepares graduates to navigate new people, projects, languages, and technologies in dynamic work environments. 

Who’s Hiring Bootcamp Grads in 2024?

Lena: For software engineers looking ahead to 2024, it’s important to consider that most companies are tech companies now. There are opportunities both within and outside the traditional tech industry. Many of our graduates are working as software engineers in healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, entertainment, and a number of other industries. 

What types of tech jobs will Hack Reactor bootcamp graduates be able to land in 2024?

Lena: While we’re still hesitant to try to predict the future, we can definitely look at trends we’ve seen among recent grads who are getting hired across a wide variety of industries. Like we mentioned above, one major development in software engineering lately is the growth in available jobs outside of what’s considered traditional tech. More and more companies are expanding their tech capabilities, which requires them to build development teams that can reach company goals, build necessary software, and innovate. This means a lot of new opportunities for our grads, like Natalie Tang, now working at JPMorgan Chase, and Kyle Merckx, now working for a pharmaceutical company in Wisconsin. We see a lot of growth in these areas and many others, giving us reason to believe 2024 will present widespread opportunities.

Achieving success in the job search is ultimately determined by the level of persistence and effort job seekers invest in the process. Our Career Services team recognizes this and plays a crucial role by offering comprehensive guidance, strategic planning, and hands-on support. From interview preparation and negotiation skills, to networking and crafting a compelling personal narrative, we serve as dedicated advocates and allies, empowering our graduates to navigate the competitive job market with resilience and confidence.

The Biggest Tech Trend of 2023: AI Tools

Lena: The recent leap in AI tools, like ChatGPT, GitHub CoPilot, and others will enhance the productivity of the software engineer. For those just starting out or entering the software engineering field, this is a huge opportunity. That's why we added GitHub Copilot to all of our coding bootcamp curricula, and we also teach our students how to use AI tools that assist with the job search process. 

The job search has been changing this year, thanks to new AI tools. Do you recommend students use any specific tools, programs or platforms for their 2024 job searches?

Lena: Embracing AI tools can help job seekers streamline the job search process. We now offer our students a one-year premium membership to Hiration, a platform using AI to optimize LinkedIn profiles, customize resumes, and ensure overall application alignment. Hiration's AI features go beyond the application phase, providing interview preparation support by offering feedback on video interview responses, including the quality of both content and non-verbal behaviors. Empowering students with AI-driven tools enhances their readiness and confidence in the job search.

What’s on the Horizon: Tech Trends to Look For in 2024

Lena: We expect that it’ll become increasingly important for new software engineers to know how to use AI tools to enhance their productivity. At the same time, as we mentioned, it’s going to be very important for these new engineers to also remain focused on coding fundamentals, critical thinking/problem-solving skills, and teamwork. Career changers who have a  variety of transferable skills, who can code in desirable languages, and who can leverage AI to improve efficiency will be well positioned moving into 2024.

With so much change in tech in 2023, how has Hack Reactor adapted its program to help recent and incoming students remain relevant in the 2024 job market?

Lena: We teach students how to integrate GitHub Copilot into their workflow during the later modules of all of our coding bootcamps, after proficiency in programming has been obtained. Students use this tool to build a portfolio project to demonstrate their ability to evaluate and blend AI-generated code with their own.

Overall, the addition of GitHub Copilot ensures that our students have the foundation to thrive with or without AI tools, and are able to integrate into any organization that has software engineering needs.

Our instructors are industry veterans and practitioners who have managed the responsible use of productivity enhancement tools throughout their own careers, so they’re well-equipped to teach this newest tool and guide our students toward proficiency. We know that generative AI will continue to grow, shift, and change, and we’re committed to teaching the very latest and best in our curriculum, led by these experienced instructors. 

Find out more and read Hack Reactor reviews on Course Report. This article was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with Hack Reactor.