Ask HN: How are you finding the job market in 2026?

I am from Australia, I have just changed my job when I knew my previous employer was going to lay off most of our team in Australia very soon. I am quite lucky to find a good one in my first try while everyone is saying job market sucks, but what others didn't know is that I had started the preparation since mid last year to precisely target the market requirements, by doing side projects and steering my team to the initiative the market will like to see in your CV.

I would say the job market now requires you to pay more effort on preparation.

I find myself in a strange position. I have the option of retiring from the New York State Retirement System. I can take early retirement. There is a rule which says that I can take a full time job and collect a pension if it is not part of the system. I am finding it nearly impossible to find anything that is not part of the system right now. I got a bunch of minor certifications, but I am finding that my profession is contracting right now. I look at the positions that are listed and they are very technical, often with advanced skills. They are also seem to be constantly relisted every few months. They get filled and three months later they are relisted. I don't know if they are expecting magical unicorns to fill the positions.

I also go to meetups and see there are a lot of people starting businesses or startups. The barrier to entry is dropping for business, there are a lot of people with lots of experience who are starting because there are very few regular jobs being listed. They are also advertising themselves as consultants. Some of the people I talk to are extremely experienced. The barrier for finding a job is very high. I can sit and watch things because I have patience and can wait for the right opportunity. They way things are going, it could take a few years.

I simply stopped looking for one and created a few products, then I started getting job offers via email.

I am now just a consultant for a few companies and work from my home office.

Jobs are dead, start a business.

Even if it's the same thing you'd do as an employee.

Trying to be a "software engineer looking for work" in 2026 is depressing - everyone hates that idea now

In 2023 it took me 6 months to find a new job where I was quickly elevated into management. Now I am looking again and there are fewer management jobs to apply to.

I am considering figuring out freelance work instead.