I just wanted to gauge how software industry is coping with the recession. Everyday we hear thousands being laid off( including Microsoft and Google recently). So, did the recession finally catchup to Software industry as well? Or is the Software industry immune to this recession?
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In Denmark Microsoft's development division just went from "we can't get enough skilled engineers" to "we are firing people", which is really too bad and probably very shortsighted.
Brian Rasmussen
2009-01-25 19:09:13
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In Sweden we're screaming for talented Software Engineers. So if you need a job you should consult moving to Sweden. Some companies have had to close down, but not many. And my own company is having more requests for work than never before.
Filip Ekberg
2009-01-25 19:14:42
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Only funeral services are immune to recession.
A recession is really a dramatic market correction and volatility always means opportunity for some. However software is tightly bound to the service economy (especially the financial services, especially in the UK) and the internet in general is tightly bound to advertising which is also volatile in these conditions. OTOH I think, for example, those involved in financial regulation (training, auditing, etc) could find they're in the picks and shovels business.
Summary: generally down, but it depends where you are. Of course.
annakata
2009-01-25 19:17:34
And the IRS. Death and Taxes.
Kevin
2009-01-25 19:18:31
only less tax revenue in a recession of course...
annakata
2009-01-25 19:42:05
I wouldn't say funeral service is immune. My uncles owns a "chain" of parlors and he said business is down because if people can't afford to bury, they cremate and forgo a funeral. It's not down alot, but it IS down.
BBetances
2009-01-25 20:31:37
now *that's* bleak
annakata
2009-01-25 21:18:18
A:
Immune? No. Nothing is immune.
And you'll also notice that there's no monolithic "software industry", because there's a range of companies (e.g., companies like Microsoft, Google, IBM, Oracle, SAP versus users of software) and micro climates. The situation at Microsoft in Redmond isn't directly correlated with a bank in Iowa.
duffymo
2009-01-25 19:17:56
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The software industry is a huge place. It depends who your audience is; if you want to write financial software for banks or start selling enterprise software licensed "per seat" then times are hard right now.
If you have some savings and are going to live with your parents writing a Web 2.0 app on your laptop sitting in your living room, then you can probably afford to do that, but it depends how you'll make your money - does the audience need your services right now? If it's a free web app funded through advertising then this is possible, but advertisers aren't spending much at the moment. If you're working for a games company, some people predict that demand for this content will increase as people unfortunately have more free time. Likewise, if your customer is the DOD then I'm guessing their budget isn't much affected by the recession.
In summary, it's a really tough time, but companies (including Google, Microsoft and Apple) are still hiring, and apart from that it depends which sector is paying you money. If you're clever you may be able to find areas where demand is greater due to the recession.
Saqib
2009-01-25 19:32:31