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.
Man, nothing we can do about it but I think IT hiring is so fucked right now. I have worked with so many people and on so much code that has no place in a development shop.
I always blow hacker rank stuff but honestly that shit isn't even that important to the job. You need maybe one person on a team who is good with algorithms and can reverse binary trees and bullshit.
And every time I get a job I'm coding circles around the rest of my team. To the point where the most painfully part is being unable to write it all myself or just sit everyone down and teach them. But I was out of work for 5 months last year and I'm getting near 30 years of experience.
To be fair, could be selection bias and big fish in a small pond. If I can't land jobs with great companies I'm not comparing myself to the best of the best.
Anyway, the system isn't designed to help folks like us succeed. I'd like to see some kind of IT workers union that functions as peer mentoring, and certification that once someone learns an environment they are effective. Based on what I've seen, there is a lot of room for something like that because education and certifications aren't getting it done.
OTOH dealing with seniority over aptitude and skill is a big detriment of unions in my observation. I don't know, I wouldn't mind seeing someone give it a try.
As for advice, networking. As far as I can tell, every job mostly comes down to looking a manager in the eyes, shaking his hand, and convincing him you're someone who can make things happen. And sending out CVs is the most circuitous and fraught route to getting that ten minutes.
Recruiters get me almost all of my jobs. But I also have a decent network of folks I've impressed along the way, it's just that few of them are in hiring positions. They have recommended me to their managers for positions before.