I Follow Web Dev Trends So Recruiters Don’t Have To

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

Every few months the web development community decides we’re doing things wrong again. Recruiters see these buzzwords on resumes all day. I’ve been reflecting on what these trends have actually taught me as an engineer.

Lessons from AI

What AI showed me

• AI can generate code faster than I can write it.
• If I can’t review the code, I shouldn’t ship it.
• “It works” is not a sufficient quality bar.
• Combining bad systems with AI leads to faster disasters.

What AI didn’t do

AI didn’t replace my job; it made thoughtful thinking non‑optional.

Core Takeaways

• Performance is useless if users don’t perceive it.
• Safety is valuable, but only when you understand its cost.
• Shiny technology doesn’t compensate for unclear design.

Shipping Reality

Trends are fun, but shipping is sobering. Low‑code tools removed the boring parts, leaving me with:

• Architecture decisions
• Data flow design
• Edge‑case handling
• Emergency fixes at 2 AM

Low‑code didn’t reduce my value—it raised the bar.

What I Optimize For

Instead of chasing the latest tools, I focus on:

• Writing code that others can understand.
• Building systems that survive change.
• Making decisions that age well.
• Reducing “we’ll fix it later” moments.

Ongoing Learning

I still explore new technologies, but anyone can list a stack. What teams truly need are engineers who:

• Learn quickly without breaking things.
• Ask annoying but important questions.
• Think in systems rather than isolated snippets.
• Can explain their code clearly and confidently.

Closing

That’s the kind of engineer I’m striving to be. If that sounds useful, we’ll probably get along.