Modern job hunting

[supafamous]

Tech is tough if you're entry level or intermediate but it's mostly manageable above that - definitely not the heyday of before and I've seen people eventually have to give up their hunt and go into other fields. I know a guy who I'd almost consider a peer who applied for over 200 jobs and reached final round a half dozen times before he landed a job that I considered a step back for him.

OTOH, I've helped 5 of my clients land new jobs in Q1 and helped several others land work through pro bono mentorship. I expect to have a couple more clients will land work this quarter as well. None of these people took a step back in salary either. Edit: I have also met a number of folks who leave me pretty unimpressed who end up with solid to great jobs that have me going, "YOU?! YOOOOOUUUUU?!" so there's obviously still work for below average talent (I consider myself an excellent talent evaluator.)

IMO, the biggest problem is fit and not the number of jobs (this is still a problem though) - hiring managers are looking for very specific skills and experience today. In the past we hired on potential and we liked generalists because we were hiring so much we could take risks on who we hired and we needed to be flexible about what the business needed. Now hiring managers know they only have 1 open head all year so they better make it count so they won't hire someone unless they are exactly the person they need so finding fit is really hard.

[EvoFire]

I sent probably around 50+ applications.

I got a response with 8 companies, 9 applications, interviewed with 8 of them.

1 was a previous recruiter that I knew
3 cold applications
5 referrals

I had 2 offers, and 3 final stage interviews

The one company I got a response from but didn't interview with was BCFerries. I applied in late December and they got back to me in March, 4 days before I was leaving for my trip, and I was at the cusp of accepting an offer. They were not going to be able to match the offer anyways and I told them I was going to be away and won't be able to take their interview.

There were honestly a lot more job postings than I thought there would be in tech, however because of the economic climate, companies were A LOT pickier than before. They weren't willing to waste a precious head count unless the candidate was absolutely perfect. Salaries were all over the place. I personally also think that a lot of the postings were fake. I applied to both Vancity and Royal Bank with a very strong fit resume but never got a response, not even a you weren't selected.

There are also a lot more scammy things happening. This started late covid, where recruiters would reach out and they'd try to get you to send them your resume but then ghost you right after. Having to vet through ppl who would message you adds to the complexity of an already shitty process.

I'm not seeing a huge amount of ageist things yet, at least not at 39. IMO with 13 years experience in my niche under my belt and multiple big companies on my resume, I'm not at a point where I am unwanted. I can see that being problem when I'm 50+. I have a very strong benefit of being able to speak proper English, where in tech, can be a bit of a premium quality.

[BIC_BAWS]

Originally Posted by quasi

I have a friend in Washington State who came out of the military, finished his comp sci degree last year, and has had zero luck as that industry is kind of fucked at the moment. He's considering reenlisting but he never loved his time there.

If he's been in the military for awhile he should be able to transition to cyber defense pretty easily. Or get a US CPA as well and print SOC2 Attestations for $$$.

[teggy604]

Originally Posted by Eff-1

young people like high schoolers/early 20s complain they can't get jobs.

small business owners, especially in rural areas, complain they can't find enough workers and want more access to temporary foreign workers.

who to believe?

I feel kind of like blaming the kids? feels like compared to 20 or 30 years ago, less kids these days want to work in fast food/entry level jobs, but then complain they can't find employment. but I don't talk to teenagers much so maybe I'm wrong.

I agree. I don't see them work fast food anymore. Unlike our generation where we worked PNE, fast food, and physical labour jobs.


However, I do see them working at Starbucks. And retails like Aritzia, Sephora etc.. Maybe for the discounts. lol.