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 up - Why CVs have become too good and it's no longer enough - How to treat LinkedIn as a platform - Getting into companies like OpenAI and Anthropic - How to reach out to people without seeming fake If 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 - Intro 00:00:35 - How bad is the tech job market in 2026? 00:02:38 - 120,000 laid off, 60,000 jobs open: the math is not mathing 00:04:05 - LinkedIn isn't a CV, it's a platform 00:08:30 - The underrated move: comment your way into a job 00:10:48 - Is AI ruining LinkedIn? 00:13:50 - Never feel safe: how to prepare before a layoff 00:15:34 - What layoffs do to the people who stay 00:17:03 - "Did I just automate myself out of a job?" 00:18:48 - Why every resume now looks the same 00:20:11 - Why referrals beat applications 00:22:13 - Do software engineers still have a future? 00:23:32 - The staff engineer who wants to quit for plumbing 00:26:16 - Patrick on his own job security 00:30:21 - 70% of job descriptions now demand AI skills 00:31:34 - Is middle management disappearing? 00:33:53 - The impossible ask: stay current, deliver, and not burn out 00:37:02 - How to get hired at OpenAI or Anthropic 00:39:18 - How to message someone without seeming fake 00:41:42 - Build a portfolio that shows your thinking 00:45:12 - Your personal branding plan for the next few weeks Guest: Keki Mwaba, career and recruitment expert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keki-mwaba #techjobs #softwareengineering #careeradvice Connect with Patrick Akil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-akil https://twitter.com/PatrickAkil_