Who's unemployed besides me
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Got laid off last August. Fortunately, I've gotten the federal unemployment extension, but that will run out soon. It's been my most frustrating job search (though with unemployment, tax refunds, savings and my wife's new job, it's been the least stressful financially.) Two weeks ago I submitted my resume for a job for which I'm a near perfect fit. Since then, it's becoming painfully obvious that the company in question hasn't received the budget and/or authority to actually hire, let alone interview, anyone. This has been the trend made all the worse because the companies either don't contact me or lie to me for no reason. (My brother, who was laid off in October, but just got a job, had the same experience as have several friends.) This comes on the heals of another "perfect" match, but during the interview it became clear that a) the hiring company had no idea what they were doing and b) what they needed was someone entirely different than what I do [C++/MFC/Apps/Middleware/System programming, given their deadline they needed a Java expert]. A month ago, I almost got an offer in LA, but the headhunter said something in passing about $65,000 a year [Sr. Engineer in LA!] that made me push him on the what the likely offer would be. At first he told me it was six figures, but when pressed he cut off all communications [why not just tell me the truth?] The irony is he's still posting the ad.) Many more stories.
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Got laid off last August. Fortunately, I've gotten the federal unemployment extension, but that will run out soon. It's been my most frustrating job search (though with unemployment, tax refunds, savings and my wife's new job, it's been the least stressful financially.) Two weeks ago I submitted my resume for a job for which I'm a near perfect fit. Since then, it's becoming painfully obvious that the company in question hasn't received the budget and/or authority to actually hire, let alone interview, anyone. This has been the trend made all the worse because the companies either don't contact me or lie to me for no reason. (My brother, who was laid off in October, but just got a job, had the same experience as have several friends.) This comes on the heals of another "perfect" match, but during the interview it became clear that a) the hiring company had no idea what they were doing and b) what they needed was someone entirely different than what I do [C++/MFC/Apps/Middleware/System programming, given their deadline they needed a Java expert]. A month ago, I almost got an offer in LA, but the headhunter said something in passing about $65,000 a year [Sr. Engineer in LA!] that made me push him on the what the likely offer would be. At first he told me it was six figures, but when pressed he cut off all communications [why not just tell me the truth?] The irony is he's still posting the ad.) Many more stories.
Where do you live? In the NE jobs are tight but available for those willing to put up with long commutes and not so good pay.
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Where do you live? In the NE jobs are tight but available for those willing to put up with long commutes and not so good pay.
I live in Utah and would prefer to stay in the southwest (grew up in upstate New York and have no desire to go back.) One big problem is Utah companies aren't hiring and companies in other states tend to want local candidates only.
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Got laid off last August. Fortunately, I've gotten the federal unemployment extension, but that will run out soon. It's been my most frustrating job search (though with unemployment, tax refunds, savings and my wife's new job, it's been the least stressful financially.) Two weeks ago I submitted my resume for a job for which I'm a near perfect fit. Since then, it's becoming painfully obvious that the company in question hasn't received the budget and/or authority to actually hire, let alone interview, anyone. This has been the trend made all the worse because the companies either don't contact me or lie to me for no reason. (My brother, who was laid off in October, but just got a job, had the same experience as have several friends.) This comes on the heals of another "perfect" match, but during the interview it became clear that a) the hiring company had no idea what they were doing and b) what they needed was someone entirely different than what I do [C++/MFC/Apps/Middleware/System programming, given their deadline they needed a Java expert]. A month ago, I almost got an offer in LA, but the headhunter said something in passing about $65,000 a year [Sr. Engineer in LA!] that made me push him on the what the likely offer would be. At first he told me it was six figures, but when pressed he cut off all communications [why not just tell me the truth?] The irony is he's still posting the ad.) Many more stories.
i had a nice 8 month vacation. ended beginning of march. my wife's been out since october. sucks all over. -c
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Got laid off last August. Fortunately, I've gotten the federal unemployment extension, but that will run out soon. It's been my most frustrating job search (though with unemployment, tax refunds, savings and my wife's new job, it's been the least stressful financially.) Two weeks ago I submitted my resume for a job for which I'm a near perfect fit. Since then, it's becoming painfully obvious that the company in question hasn't received the budget and/or authority to actually hire, let alone interview, anyone. This has been the trend made all the worse because the companies either don't contact me or lie to me for no reason. (My brother, who was laid off in October, but just got a job, had the same experience as have several friends.) This comes on the heals of another "perfect" match, but during the interview it became clear that a) the hiring company had no idea what they were doing and b) what they needed was someone entirely different than what I do [C++/MFC/Apps/Middleware/System programming, given their deadline they needed a Java expert]. A month ago, I almost got an offer in LA, but the headhunter said something in passing about $65,000 a year [Sr. Engineer in LA!] that made me push him on the what the likely offer would be. At first he told me it was six figures, but when pressed he cut off all communications [why not just tell me the truth?] The irony is he's still posting the ad.) Many more stories.
I agree with everything you said. 100%. I got laid off last January and after about 4 months I found a job for 30k. I had to take it, and somehow managed to surive... That one kind of fizzled out (no market for the product :rolleyes: ) and now I seem to be "stable" somewhere else for the moment... It is an employers market right now - if they don't want to keep you, there are 50 other software guys out there that will be glad to work for less than they're paying you right now. Actually having a job is almost as stressful as not - especially when you no longer have any savings to fall back on, having spent it all trying to survive the last hit... Not a day goes by when I wonder if I will be called into the bosses office and told that I am no longer needed. And this is after a glowing performance review and a pay rise. I'm seriously thinking of getting out of the software industry, but after specialising for so long, there really isn't much else I can do that will still pay the bills :(
There are 10 kinds of people - those that get binary and those that don't.
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Got laid off last August. Fortunately, I've gotten the federal unemployment extension, but that will run out soon. It's been my most frustrating job search (though with unemployment, tax refunds, savings and my wife's new job, it's been the least stressful financially.) Two weeks ago I submitted my resume for a job for which I'm a near perfect fit. Since then, it's becoming painfully obvious that the company in question hasn't received the budget and/or authority to actually hire, let alone interview, anyone. This has been the trend made all the worse because the companies either don't contact me or lie to me for no reason. (My brother, who was laid off in October, but just got a job, had the same experience as have several friends.) This comes on the heals of another "perfect" match, but during the interview it became clear that a) the hiring company had no idea what they were doing and b) what they needed was someone entirely different than what I do [C++/MFC/Apps/Middleware/System programming, given their deadline they needed a Java expert]. A month ago, I almost got an offer in LA, but the headhunter said something in passing about $65,000 a year [Sr. Engineer in LA!] that made me push him on the what the likely offer would be. At first he told me it was six figures, but when pressed he cut off all communications [why not just tell me the truth?] The irony is he's still posting the ad.) Many more stories.
Joe Woodbury wrote: the hiring company had no idea what they were doing I know exactly what you mean. I saw a company searching for a driver developer: "A kernel mode expert. The languages used for development will be C# and Visual Basic .NET " :wtf: /moliate
The corners of my eyes catch hasty, bloodless motion - a mouse? Well, certainly a peripheral of some kind.
Neil Gaiman - Cold Colours
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I agree with everything you said. 100%. I got laid off last January and after about 4 months I found a job for 30k. I had to take it, and somehow managed to surive... That one kind of fizzled out (no market for the product :rolleyes: ) and now I seem to be "stable" somewhere else for the moment... It is an employers market right now - if they don't want to keep you, there are 50 other software guys out there that will be glad to work for less than they're paying you right now. Actually having a job is almost as stressful as not - especially when you no longer have any savings to fall back on, having spent it all trying to survive the last hit... Not a day goes by when I wonder if I will be called into the bosses office and told that I am no longer needed. And this is after a glowing performance review and a pay rise. I'm seriously thinking of getting out of the software industry, but after specialising for so long, there really isn't much else I can do that will still pay the bills :(
There are 10 kinds of people - those that get binary and those that don't.
Miszou wrote: I'm seriously thinking of getting out of the software industry, but after specialising for so long, there really isn't much else I can do that will still pay the bills I prefer to simply say, I suck at everything else. One previous co-worker is now a real estate agent and my brother's former boss bought a travel agency.
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Got laid off last August. Fortunately, I've gotten the federal unemployment extension, but that will run out soon. It's been my most frustrating job search (though with unemployment, tax refunds, savings and my wife's new job, it's been the least stressful financially.) Two weeks ago I submitted my resume for a job for which I'm a near perfect fit. Since then, it's becoming painfully obvious that the company in question hasn't received the budget and/or authority to actually hire, let alone interview, anyone. This has been the trend made all the worse because the companies either don't contact me or lie to me for no reason. (My brother, who was laid off in October, but just got a job, had the same experience as have several friends.) This comes on the heals of another "perfect" match, but during the interview it became clear that a) the hiring company had no idea what they were doing and b) what they needed was someone entirely different than what I do [C++/MFC/Apps/Middleware/System programming, given their deadline they needed a Java expert]. A month ago, I almost got an offer in LA, but the headhunter said something in passing about $65,000 a year [Sr. Engineer in LA!] that made me push him on the what the likely offer would be. At first he told me it was six figures, but when pressed he cut off all communications [why not just tell me the truth?] The irony is he's still posting the ad.) Many more stories.
I think that I am teetering. We have had 3 rounds of cuts where I work. I have been actively searching over the last 2 months and there is not a lot out there and some of the requirements for positions are bodering on absurd. This morning I saw an add that actually said "NO Contract History in Employment History" WTF!!!! Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
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I think that I am teetering. We have had 3 rounds of cuts where I work. I have been actively searching over the last 2 months and there is not a lot out there and some of the requirements for positions are bodering on absurd. This morning I saw an add that actually said "NO Contract History in Employment History" WTF!!!! Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
How about those places that won't accept resumes if you've ever worked less than three (or even five!) years at a place. (Which kills me since I have a horrible tendency to work for companies that go under.) (On the other hand, at my last job we got a resume from a guy that had never spent more than three months on any job, and he wasn't a contractor.)
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Miszou wrote: I'm seriously thinking of getting out of the software industry, but after specialising for so long, there really isn't much else I can do that will still pay the bills I prefer to simply say, I suck at everything else. One previous co-worker is now a real estate agent and my brother's former boss bought a travel agency.
I tried starting my own business as a "computer troubleshooter" - basically being on-call 24 hours to fix things for small businesses like attorneys, lawyers, doctors offices etc. There are thousands of them in little industrial parks all over the place. The only thing it really did was bring in some pocket-money and made me feel useful for a while. My selling point was that "I used to be a software engineer so I know how computers work on the inside after programming them for years" :rolleyes: There is definitely a limit to how many messed up AOL installations/Gator hosts/Comet Cursors/Weatherbugs et. al. you can deal with in one week... X|
There are 10 kinds of people - those that get binary and those that don't.
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I think that I am teetering. We have had 3 rounds of cuts where I work. I have been actively searching over the last 2 months and there is not a lot out there and some of the requirements for positions are bodering on absurd. This morning I saw an add that actually said "NO Contract History in Employment History" WTF!!!! Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
Chris Austin wrote: "NO Contract History in Employment History" Does that meant no history of contracting? Or not to include past full-time jobs? If it is the former it may be because they don't want people with the mentality to free-think or see outside of their cubicle. :~
David Wulff
"i said no to noddy like 20 times but in the end i just couldnt say no to him anymore" - Wishful Thinking
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Chris Austin wrote: "NO Contract History in Employment History" Does that meant no history of contracting? Or not to include past full-time jobs? If it is the former it may be because they don't want people with the mentality to free-think or see outside of their cubicle. :~
David Wulff
"i said no to noddy like 20 times but in the end i just couldnt say no to him anymore" - Wishful Thinking
David Wulff wrote: Does that meant no history of contracting? Or not to include past full-time jobs? I assumed it was the former. My take on it is that it is a sweatshop and they don't want people who are used to getting paid those extra 20 hours they put in every week. They want people who will "take it for the team" and all that other bullshit. Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
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How about those places that won't accept resumes if you've ever worked less than three (or even five!) years at a place. (Which kills me since I have a horrible tendency to work for companies that go under.) (On the other hand, at my last job we got a resume from a guy that had never spent more than three months on any job, and he wasn't a contractor.)
Unemployed in Ft. Lauderdale as well. Amazing, after spending 25 years in this field to be searching for a new career. My god, I'm actually thinking about being a stock broker. Been a contractor and always had plenty of work to do without ever looking. Hard to believe that no one needs good C++ programmers that actually have some business (and life) experience. If they utilized our talents, maybe the crap that a lot of software companies put out wound actually improve...both the bottom line and the software. Eliminating work visas would be a good start. They once served a purpose, but now they are a major hindrence to our economy.
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Joe Woodbury wrote: the hiring company had no idea what they were doing I know exactly what you mean. I saw a company searching for a driver developer: "A kernel mode expert. The languages used for development will be C# and Visual Basic .NET " :wtf: /moliate
The corners of my eyes catch hasty, bloodless motion - a mouse? Well, certainly a peripheral of some kind.
Neil Gaiman - Cold Colours
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Unemployed in Ft. Lauderdale as well. Amazing, after spending 25 years in this field to be searching for a new career. My god, I'm actually thinking about being a stock broker. Been a contractor and always had plenty of work to do without ever looking. Hard to believe that no one needs good C++ programmers that actually have some business (and life) experience. If they utilized our talents, maybe the crap that a lot of software companies put out wound actually improve...both the bottom line and the software. Eliminating work visas would be a good start. They once served a purpose, but now they are a major hindrence to our economy.
Iceman wrote: Eliminating work visas would be a good start. They once served a purpose, but now they are a major hindrence to our economy. RED ALERT! RED ALERT! You will soo be visited/flamed by the "you protecitionist commie crowd" :) I don't mind the visas so much as long as the companys that are letting go of local and citizen employes are also relived of their local tax breaks and any tax exemptions they may have. If they aren't going to contribute to the local community why should the local private citizens pay the taxes for them? Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton
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Joe Woodbury wrote: the hiring company had no idea what they were doing I know exactly what you mean. I saw a company searching for a driver developer: "A kernel mode expert. The languages used for development will be C# and Visual Basic .NET " :wtf: /moliate
The corners of my eyes catch hasty, bloodless motion - a mouse? Well, certainly a peripheral of some kind.
Neil Gaiman - Cold Colours
Pass it on to people you don't like *evil grin* The tigress is here :-D