On the Move: Some Personal News and Thoughts on the UK Tech Job Market

July 3, 2025

Hey everyone, Jamie here.

This is a bit of a different post from me today—less about code, more about career. After a period of reflection and some interesting conversations, I'm thrilled to share that I've accepted a new role and will be starting a new chapter in my professional journey.

Making this move has been an eye-opening experience, and it gave me a front-row seat to the current state of the UK tech job market. It feels very different from the hiring frenzy of a few years ago, and I wanted to share some thoughts for anyone else out there who might be thinking of making a change.

The Temperature Check: A Market Correction

Let's be honest: the market right now is not what it was in 2021. The “great resignation” and the subsequent hiring boom have given way to a more cautious, measured approach from companies. Layoffs in big tech have had a ripple effect, and while there are still plenty of roles available, the process feels more deliberate and competitive.

It's not all doom and gloom, but it's certainly what I'd call “choppy waters.” Companies are taking longer to hire, interview processes are often more rigorous, and the days of juggling multiple, no-strings-attached offers seem to have cooled off for many. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; it feels like a return to a more sustainable, intentional hiring environment.

The Interview Gauntlet: What to Expect

The process of finding the right fit was a marathon, not a sprint. Here are a few patterns I noticed:

Multi-Stage Interviews are Standard: A quick chat is rarely enough. I consistently found a 3-to-5 stage process was the norm: an initial screening call, a technical chat with a senior dev or lead, a take-home task or live coding session, and finally a “cultural fit” or team meeting.
Take-Home Tasks are Prevalent: This is a divisive topic, I know. My take is that a well-scoped, respectful take-home task (i.e., one that takes a few hours, not a few days) can be a great way for both sides to see if there's a good fit. It allowed me to showcase my practical skills beyond just talking about them.
The “Why” Matters More: At a certain level of experience, companies assume you have the technical chops. What they really wanted to dig into was my thinking. Why did I choose a certain architectural pattern? How do I approach technical debt? How do I communicate complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders? The soft skills and the “why” behind my technical decisions were just as important as the code itself.

My Pragmatic Takeaways for Job Seekers

If you're currently navigating this market, here's some advice based on my recent journey.

Your CV is a Story, Not a List: Don't just list technologies. Tell a story of impact. Instead of “Worked on a Laravel API,” try “Developed and maintained a Laravel API that handled X requests per day, leading to a Y% improvement in response times.” Quantify your achievements where you can. As someone with both backend (PHP/Laravel) and frontend (Flutter) skills, I made sure to highlight projects where I successfully bridged that gap.
Specialization is Your Anchor, Versatility is Your Sail: My deep knowledge of Laravel was my anchor—it got me in the door. But my experience with Flutter was my sail—it showed I was adaptable, curious, and could bring a broader perspective. If you have a “T-shaped” skill set, lean into it. It's a significant advantage in a world of full-stack product teams.
Patience is a Strategic Asset: The process will likely take longer than you expect. Rejections, and even “ghosting” after an interview, are part of the game. It's frustrating, but it's not personal. Stay resilient, keep refining your approach, and don't get discouraged.
Know Your Worth, But Be Realistic: Do your research on salaries, but also understand that the leverage has shifted slightly back towards employers. Be prepared to articulate your value clearly to justify your expectations.

What's Next?

I'm incredibly excited about my new role. It's a fantastic opportunity to tackle some new challenges, work with a great team, and dive deep into some interesting technical problems.

And don't worry, The Pragmatic Pixel isn't going anywhere. My passion for exploring the intersection of robust backends and fluid frontends remains, and I'll continue to share my learnings and experiences here.

For anyone else on their own job hunt right now, I wish you the very best of luck. It's a challenging market, but good people with solid skills are always in demand. Be patient, be strategic, and be confident in the value you bring.

Cheers,

Jamie C