So I've been out of work for over a year now. I'm a software engineer with 20 years experience in Java, I have experience in over a dozen other languages, I've worked for companies of around 30 employees as well as big multinationals.
Over the last year, I've applied for literally hundreds of jobs, and I've gotten one interview, got all the way to the final stage of the process but missed out to someone with more experience of that specific framework they wanted. I was told that they really liked me, that my code was good even though I was learning that framework while doing the code test, and that I would integrate with the team very well, but they needed someone with more experience with the framework they use. They did say that if another position opened up this year that they'd get in touch.
So my question is, what the fuck do I do now? I'm still applying for every programming position that comes up on the job boards, I'm emailing recruiters to try to get my foot in the door, I'm teaching myself different frameworks and languages and building small demo apps to show what I can do, but I'm getting nowhere.
Five years ago, I had absolutely no issue getting a job. I'd literally have several job offers within a month of looking. Now there's nothing. For context, I'm in the UK.
So what are my options. What can I do to get work as a programmer in today's market? What else is there for me to do? How would I get started freelance if I've never done that before, and is that even a viable option? Are other people experiencing the same at the moment?
Please help, I'm getting desperate.
I was laid off last summer. I decided to try my hand at the entrepreneureal path. I've gotten really sick on working of projects that are clearly DOA but management just can't let go of them for one reason or another... Until they finally do and proceed fuck up my plans in the process.
There are tons of legitimate business problems that could be fixed with software but the big guys typically prefer to focus on speculative gambles rather than those.
I got the PoC done and I'm probably a month away from having a marketable service. I realize there's a high probability of failure but I won't succeed if I don't try.
I left my last two jobs due to those DOA projects.
I do more data stuff than programming, but management is the same.
Always has been.
Feel like DMing a bit? I'm in a similar boat, but not as far along. I've got what I believe is a viable idea with a niche but common market, I'm largely familiar with the tech involved (having built something similar before), and even the costs. Currently working on a POC before trying to conduct actual market research interviews (I realize most folks consider that backwards and are probably right).
Sure. I'm not sure how much my advice is worth but I'm happy to offer it if it will help you out in any way.