Okay, I have to ask you guys this question, given that most ranters here are experienced devs.

I keep hearing this sentiment that "Oh, back in the day it was super easy to land a job. You just show up to an interview, and you have a pulse, and you were hired".

I call bullshit on this sentiment. It's not like people weren't facing rejections back in the day.

What's your take on this sentiment?

One of my interviewers literally just asked me if I can drink (alcohol). It would be hard to fail my interview back then, but I was also very confident in my skills even for my first coding job so idk.

Last Interview (last year) was much harder, but it was for a much larger company.

In fact in my time as a dev I mostly noticed that the trend is "bigger corporation == harder interview"

Startups tend to be pretty chill even now. However there may be one big part to the myth that interviews got harder and that's that a lot of new tech popped up, so you're expected to know more and more even at entry level postings.

That's my take and my experience only though :)

I used to get a lot more job offers back when I was a junior, so for me the argument is valid.

With the whole AI fuckfest + mass layoffs that are have not stopped since covid gains dunked, I don't see how it is easier to get a job now than it was in the past...

Well, in my opinion people back I the day knew what they were doing. Hence getting the job they apply for.

People nowadays are a joke. They feel entitled because they got a degree but can't even develop a simple project. Not to mention their work ethics.

In my opinion it's still easy to get a job, just need to apply according to your experience and skill. Changed jobs a few months ago. Did 2 interviews, got the job.

Most interviews I ever had to do to get a job was 4. Usually only 1 or 2.
And that's not just me but also other competent devs I know.