Tech hiring in 2025 is split between broad layoffs and rapid growth in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud roles. Since 2022, 666,000+ tech employees have been laid off (239,101 in 2024), while AI Engineer and AI Consultant are the #1 and #2 fastest-growing titles on LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2025.
If your resume still reads like a general software developer profile, you are competing in the softest part of the market. The signal employers want now is specialization.
The hiring split inside tech
Declining areas
- Software development postings are down 51% from peak.
- Entry-level hiring at the top 15 firms fell 25% in 2024.
- US programmer employment dropped 27.5% between 2023 and 2025.
Growth areas
| Role | Projected Growth | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | +34% | $112,590 |
| Information Security Analyst | +29% | $124,910 |
| AI / ML Engineer | Fastest growing | $180,000+ |
| Cloud Architect | Strong demand | $154,000 |
| Software Developer | 267,700 new jobs | $144,570 |
Keyword map for AI, cyber, and cloud resumes
These terms show up consistently across the fastest-growing postings. Use them in Skills and back them up in Experience.
- AI and Machine Learning
- Generative AI / LLMs (4x growth in postings mentioning GenAI)
- Python (18% of postings, #1 language)
- Data Analytics
- Data Science
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Computing (AWS / Azure / GCP)
- SQL
- JavaScript
- Docker / containerization
Certification signals that matter
Certifications often determine shortlists in cyber and cloud roles:
- Cybersecurity: CISSP, CompTIA Security+
- Cloud: AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect
Salary and remote-work signals
AI and ML roles carry a 34% salary premium and remain the only tech category with increasing remote opportunities. If you have GenAI exposure, make it explicit in your Summary and in the first few bullets of your most recent role.
How to place keywords without stuffing
- Mirror the exact job title in your Summary.
- List the top 6 to 10 skills in the Skills section, ordered by job relevance.
- Use 2 to 3 skills per role in Experience bullets, tied to outcomes (not just tool lists).
For a broader market view, read The US job market in 2025.
Sources referenced in this guide
- LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2025 (AI role growth)
- Indeed Hiring Lab (software posting decline)
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics (role growth and salaries)
- Second Talent (AI/ML premium)