Reviewed and updated 20 October 2026.
Job-market predictions are useful only when their date, location and assumptions are clear. This page replaces an outdated 2023 forecast with a method for researching the market relevant to your next career decision.
Define a specific question
“Are technology jobs growing?” is too broad to guide an application. A more useful question is whether a particular role is being hired in your region, what employers require and whether those conditions fit your circumstances.
Choose a small number of related roles and locations. Distinguish entry-level opportunities from positions requiring several years of experience.
Compare three kinds of evidence
- Current vacancies show what individual employers are asking for now.
- Official occupational data provide broader descriptions and trends.
- Conversations with people doing the work reveal details that job advertisements may omit.
Each source has limits. A vacancy may be duplicated or remain online after hiring changes. A national projection does not guarantee local demand. One person’s experience may not represent an entire industry.
Build a simple evidence sheet
For each role, record common responsibilities, recurring skills, qualifications, work arrangements and the date of your information. Note which requirements appear consistently and which vary by employer.
Do not assume that a mention of AI, remote work or sustainability describes the whole role. Look at the actual tasks and how performance is evaluated.
Choose a low-cost next step
Before committing to a course or leaving a job, test your interest through a relevant project, informational conversation or short learning exercise. Compare the cost of training with the evidence that the qualification is needed.
Refresh your research before making a major decision. Hiring conditions and individual circumstances can change faster than a general career article.
Starting source for U.S. roles: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Use the appropriate official and local sources for other countries.
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Cover photograph: Andrew Neel / Unsplash.