# A tough job market is the best time to start something

DevFeed: [A tough job market is the best time to start something](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/a-tough-job-market-is-the-best-time-to-start-something-37613.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://swizec.com/blog/a-tough-job-market-is-the-best-time-to-start-something>)

Author: hi@swizec.com (Swizec Teller)

Published: 2026-01-17T00:00:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Swizec Teller](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/swizec-teller.md>)

Topics: [Job](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/job.md>), [Software Engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software-engineering.md>), [Web Development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/web-development.md>)

Tags: [career](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/career.md>), [development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/development.md>), [engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering.md>), [freelance](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/freelance.md>), [job](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/job.md>), [software-engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software-engineering.md>), [web-development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/web-development.md>)

## AI overview

An opinion piece argues that difficult job markets can be a good time for developers to build real products, start small businesses, join startups, or try freelancing. It recommends creating useful work with concrete goals instead of relying on portfolio projects or sending resumes indiscriminately.

## Source excerpt

Here's how to navigate a tough job market from someone dumb enough to have done it before. Me.