What to Expect from the Tech Job Search in 2026

Tech hiring has shifted dramatically over the last two years. AI skills are rising in value, entry-level roles are more competitive, and job seekers are expected to demonstrate both technical ability and adaptability in an uncertain market. But 2026 isn’t a bleak year for career changers – it’s a year of recalibration and new openings, especially in fast-growing fields like AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and tech-enabled industries. To make sense of it all, we spoke with Leonna, a former recruiter and current Career Success coach at Fullstack Academy. Her insights offer a grounded, realistic look at what job seekers can expect and what it now takes to stand out.

Top Tips for 2026:

• Expect a 6–12 month search. You’ll need a longer runway – Fullstack Academy is starting career services earlier in the process in 2026.

• Soft skills now carry as much weight as technical skills. Employers want adaptable, communicative problem-solvers who can show impact through projects, certifications, and real-world examples.

• Networking outperforms applications. Candidates see better results by engaging in niche communities, hackathons, and open-source work – these are the channels that Fullstack Academy career coaches will encourage in 2026.

• You must keep building after graduation. Continuous upskilling and recent project work are now expected; Fullstack Academy has integrated GenAI into the curriculum, mirroring this broader industry trend.

Leonna, tell us about your experience in career services. 

I've been coaching for a few years now, and I've been with Fullstack Academy for over two years. My career started in HR and recruiting, so I am familiar with the overall job search process from the employer side. And I have supported recruiting across various fields, including creative, tech, and corporate, and even supported internships before. I have experience with developing programs on professional and career development topics. 

What does the tech job market look like for bootcamp graduates as we head into 2026?

I think it’s going to remain competitive because the landscape is changing. Even so, there’s still a lot of potential for opportunities. New technologies continue to roll out, and with that comes a growing demand for people who can support and work with those tools. So while the market is competitive, there will still be openings for people who want to get into tech.

Are there specific tech roles or industries where you’re seeing stronger hiring demand right now?

AI and machine learning are top of mind for everyone right now. Cybersecurity has also seen increasing demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published statistics indicating that demand for AI and machine learning is set to increase by over 30% in the next 10 years. Also, demand for information security analysts will increase by almost 30% over the next decade. 

I’d also add that non-traditional tech industries, such as manufacturing and healthcare, are exploring ways to implement new technologies, including AI. So there are opportunities in areas people might not typically associate with tech.

In this competitive landscape, what's a realistic timeline for bootcamp graduates seeking their first tech role?

Anything in this current market is around six months to 1 year. However, that differs per person. Everyone has their own career journey when finding a job. We've seen people with all kinds of experiences land jobs sooner than that, too. 

The most important thing is being able to set yourself up for success by thinking about how you can leverage the skills you have gained through your Fullstack Academy experience and all of the previous skills you've gained before, so you can transfer them over to the area that you're trying to work in.

After graduation, Fullstack Academy graduates can opt into Career Success Services, so what's one thing that changed about Fullstack Career Success Services in 2025?

In our Career Success program, we provide one-on-one coaching, workshops, and additional asynchronous resources that graduates can access at their own pace, depending on where they are in their job search. Over the last year, we have implemented additional tools to support our students in preparing, getting organized, and staying accountable throughout the job search process. We've also implemented technical mock interviews, and we're looking to expand on that to support more across our other programs.

What are you planning to change with Fullstack Academy Career Success Services in 2026?

We’re not only expanding our support with technical mock interviews on our workshop topics, but we're also constantly adjusting to meet the needs of our graduates to ensure we're providing support for their end-to-end job search. 

We are also identifying job seekers earlier in their program journey, so they can receive support and kick-start the search process much sooner. We have already implemented generative AI into our web development and cybersecurity curriculum, and we continue to review all curricula to ensure we're adjusting them to meet industry needs.

So what are employers looking for in early-career candidates as we go into 2026, and how is Fullstack Academy adapting its curricula to prepare students for those roles?

Employers, especially for those earlier in their careers, are seeking not only your technical experience but also your adaptability, problem-solving skills, and drive. Understanding that while you’re early on in your career, where can you impact the work the employer is trying to do? 

Also, being able to communicate what you bring to the table, not only on the technical side, but with your soft skills, is critical. Can you demonstrate your skill set by presenting your educational projects? These are all things Fullstack Academy supports our students with as part of our curriculum and their learning journey. Not only are they gaining an education from our experienced instructors, but they are also working on real-life projects they can include in their resumes and portfolios.

Fullstack Academy also supports students by preparing them for industry-recognized certifications. Those certifications differ depending on the discipline you're part of.

How long do graduates have access to career services?

Fullstack Academy graduates have access to our Career Success Services for a full year (12 months) after completing their bootcamp. And that includes everything I've mentioned: the one-on-one coaching, access to workshops and asynchronous material, and access to Fullstack Academy events with alumni, industry, and select employer partners. 

What job search tactics are working best for bootcamp grads right now? And do you have any predictions for 2026?

I will continue to emphasize networking, growing your network, building connections, and staying visible. So, it's not just about submitting tons of applications anymore. People can see how you might contribute on paper, but they want to know who you are beyond the application and what else you have to offer.

I don’t think graduates should hide their previous work experience. It's about how you merge your past experiences and the skills you've gained with where you want to go in the future. Being able to communicate that effectively will be crucial during the current job search process and as we head into the future.

Are you seeing new platforms or communities where grads are finding opportunities outside the traditional job boards or social networks?

There's a platform or community for almost anything. If you’re interested in, for example, the gaming industry, there are lots of communities specific to that industry and even communities focused on particular technical skills, like Python and SQL. I think you could get really creative with how you connect with people and grow your network, and that’s an excellent way to stay visible and to get people to advocate for you in the job market.

Another important thing is maintaining consistency in working on your projects and keeping your skills up to date. Open-source contributions on GitHub are helpful and essential for growing your skills, your network, and your contributions to the overall tech community. And then, of course, participating in hackathons. Hackathons are a great way to upskill, add more project experience to your resume, and network and meet other people in the areas you want to work in.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone entering the tech job market in 2026, what would it be?

I like to call it my “three C’s.”

1. Connection is the first. We talked a lot about networking earlier – and it really is key. The market is competitive, so building genuine relationships with people who can advocate for you matters. Those connections may not always lead to an immediate opportunity, but you never know where they’ll lead or who someone else might introduce you to.

2. The second is communication. You need to clearly express what you bring to the table – not just technically, but through your non-technical strengths as well. I see many early-career candidates focus on what they don’t have yet. Instead, I encourage them to highlight what they do have and connect their prior experience to the role they want. Employers need to understand how your background can still help their business succeed.

3. And the last one is consistency. Your bootcamp shouldn’t be your only recent technical experience. No matter how long the job search takes, you need to keep your skills sharp – stay up to date with the industry, continue learning the tools relevant to your field, and keep building so you always have something current and relevant to add to your resume.

These insights are key to getting set up for success, not only for landing your first job in the industry, but throughout your career.

Final question. What makes you optimistic about the year ahead for career changers entering tech?

With increased demand in specific technical areas, there is significant potential for more opportunities. And as demand rises, our future candidates can fill those roles. With that, there is potential for change in how employers and hiring managers view candidates. 

Employees may assess what skills are necessary now to meet their business's needs, not only from a technical standpoint but from a values standpoint.  I wouldn't be surprised if employers also start looking for ways to better invest in developing their talent, whether that's potential or internal talent.

You can read Fullstack Academy reviews on Course Report. This article was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with Fullstack Academy.