Career Expert: Why Applying to Jobs No Longer Works

120,000 tech workers have been laid off in 2026, yet there are 60,000 open roles. Engineers applying are sending out 100 applications for zero replies. Former Reddit, Uber and Disney Plus recruiter Keki Mwaba breaks down why the market broke, why every resume now looks identical, and what gets you hired when yours looks like everyone else's.In this video, we cover:Why 120,000 layoffs and 60,000 open roles don't add upWhy CVs have become too good and it's no longer enoughHow to treat LinkedIn as a platformGetting into companies like OpenAI and AnthropicHow to reach out to people without seeming fakeIf you're a software engineer trying to stand out in the most competitive tech market in years, this is the playbook.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:35 - How bad is the tech job market in 2026?00:02:38 - 120,000 laid off, 60,000 jobs open: the math is not mathing00:04:05 - LinkedIn isn't a CV, it's a platform00:08:30 - The underrated move: comment your way into a job00:10:48 - Is AI ruining LinkedIn?00:13:50 - Never feel safe: how to prepare before a layoff00:15:34 - What layoffs do to the people who stay00:17:03 - "Did I just automate myself out of a job?"00:18:48 - Why every resume now looks the same00:20:11 - Why referrals beat applications00:22:13 - Do software engineers still have a future?00:23:32 - The staff engineer who wants to quit for plumbing00:26:16 - Patrick on his own job security00:30:21 - 70% of job descriptions now demand AI skills00:31:34 - Is middle management disappearing?00:33:53 - The impossible ask: stay current, deliver, and not burn out00:37:02 - How to get hired at OpenAI or Anthropic00:39:18 - How to message someone without seeming fake00:41:42 - Build a portfolio that shows your thinking00:45:12 - Your personal branding plan for the next few weeksGuest: Keki Mwaba, career and recruitment expert:https://www.linkedin.com/in/keki-mwaba#techjobs #softwareengineering #careeradvice