Written by Jasmina Bojičić Čebo, Community Growth Manager Softray Solutions
Over the past months, IT community forums have been flooded with questions from concerned students about whether pursuing an IT degree was the right choice. Many wonder if the market situation will improve and if they will have the opportunity to land their desired jobs. The reality is that even junior developers are currently finding it more challenging to secure positions, as market now predominantly seek strong medior and senior professionals who can adapt quickly due to their experience.
With the ongoing situation on market, companies have often opted to downsize their junior workforce first, making it equally difficult for them to find new opportunities.
How Softray Solutions has adapted
At Softray Solutions, we have not remained passive. Instead, we have taken proactive steps to support students and young professionals while also enhancing our internal selection processes. (More about that later in the blog).
One of our key initiatives was launching “Softray Career Compass“– a project designed for students from the Faculty of Traffic and Communications at the University of Sarajevo, providing them with essential guidance for navigating their professional careers.
To help students understand roles such as Software Engineer, Database Administrator, Quality Assurance Engineer, SDET, IT Project Manager, and Talent Acquisition Specialist, we invited our experienced colleagues to share their knowledge. Throughout this program, students had the chance to go beyond the classroom and discover the realities of an IT career through weekly expert-led sessions. Our professionals shared their knowledge on industry expectations, skill requirements, and practical steps to securing an IT role.
Recognizing the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world experience during this program, we took it a step further by opening our office doors to nine students from different faculties for an internship program. with the possibility of employment upon successful completion. Over the training of one month, students had the opportunity to work on hands-on projects under the mentorship of our senior engineers. As a result of their dedication and hard work, two interns secured full-time positions at Softray Solutions, reaffirming our belief that there is always room for talented individuals in the industry.
Enhancing internal processes: Refining our recruitment process
Meanwhile, our recruitment team took the opportunity to refine internal processes, optimize our selection procedures, enhance interviewer training, and implement structured interview reports. Additionally, we expanded our hiring efforts beyond technical positions, successfully onboarding professionals in marketing, graphic design, and HR roles. To stay ahead, we also explored AI-driven tools that could revolutionize the hiring process, ensuring we remain aligned with technological advancements.
Hiring trends: What candidates need to know now
As we move forward, candidates must understand the current hiring landscape and how to position themselves effectively. Here are a few key takeaways:
- Strong medior & senior profiles are in demand– Clients prioritize experienced professionals who can integrate quickly into projects and drive results with minimal onboarding.
- Continuous learning is essential– With the industry evolving rapidly, developers must remain adaptable. Expanding expertise beyond one technology stack can significantly improve employability.
- Junior candidates face more competition– Entry-level opportunities are limited, making it crucial to gain hands-on experience through internships, open-source projects, or freelancing.
- Soft skills matter– Effective communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are just as important as technical expertise in today’s IT market.
Looking ahead
The IT job market is evolving rapidly, and while challenges exist, opportunities remain for those who adapt and invest in their growth.
