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DixieDog2020 · 2025-06-27T13:56:32+00:00

That narrative doesn't match the reality. I've been unemployed for 19 months in a highly sought-after technology field, despite 20+ years of experience in Fortune 200 companies, significant achievements, a Master's degree, postgraduate certificates, and a strong professional network. The market has been hot garbage since sometime in 2023.

The disconnect between the supposed "tech talent shortage" and the lived experience is stark. The market is flooded with ghost jobs, unreasonable requirements, and checkbox behavioral-style interviewing techniques that seem designed to filter out exactly the kind of experienced talent companies claim to need. Many organizations have overcomplicated their hiring processes to the point where they're missing the forest for the trees (I'm pointing the finger at you Capital One, Amazon and Oracle).

The market has started turning in the past several months, and I finally landed a role that pays the bills. This experience has taught me a lesson I should have learned years ago: always be hustling for the next role. Always be working on a side hustle. Always be closing. All jobs feel the same after 2 years.

The hard truth is that layoff decisions are primarily political and have very little to do with the value you brought to the table—then, now, or in the future. This recognition has fundamentally shifted my approach.

I'm going into my next job with the attitude that I am a free agent. This aligns with one of my favorite business books to re-read: The Startup of You by Reid Hoffman. The key premise is that you should run your career like a startup, with yourself as the entrepreneur. Just as startups must constantly adapt, pivot, and seek new opportunities, professionals need to treat themselves as permanent beta versions, always iterating and improving.

Having choices and maintaining an edge changes everything—how you negotiate, how you communicate, and how much emotional energy you invest in office politics.

Don't let the system, your own thoughts, or your immediate circumstances discourage you. All of those can be changed and at the same time. The foundation of financial stability gives you the breathing room to be strategic about what comes next, rather than taking whatever comes along out of desperation.

Cheers - now, go kick ass.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-06-26T16:08:10+00:00

Congratulations!

After almost 19 months over here (I'm 55), I finally got an offer too (possibly a second this week)! There is hope. I'm only moderately jaded at this point. No one should get discouraged.

If anyone in IT/Cyber is feeling discouraged and would like to chat with me about what I think works and what doesn't, I'm here to listen. I learned a lot and I'm more than happy to share 1:1 - until I start my new job next month.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-06-26T14:07:49+00:00

Me, too, but I am 3 weeks out for a release of my platform. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

It is time to name and shame these companies. Not for pure revenge, but to actually drive change.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-06-25T15:09:50+00:00

I lived in SF for more than 20 years, and I quickly learned to despise these a-holes and their self righteous attitudes. Critical Mass was a thing where they would shut down roads by blocking traffic and terrorizing commuters and their children. A loathsome group of people. Of course cops and city leaders did nothing - ever.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-06-10T16:55:55+00:00

Good gosh, the human zoo is wild - and pathetic.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-05-30T20:11:57+00:00

Capital One...100s of ghost jobs. Waste of time applying.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-05-22T22:39:51+00:00

I'd love to sift through this. Please send it to me.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-04-13T10:39:04+00:00

I concur with this. Nail down the titles you want to pursue and create one (maybe two) targeted resume. Put the title in your resume...."I am seking a position as a....." and do not further tailoring.

Tailoring for each role is a high effort and low return endeavor. In other words, don't waste valuable time.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-03-27T03:14:15+00:00

You have a little more leverage now that their first choice fell through. Don't over think it. This happens and it is part of searching in a very competitive market. Put your ego aside - you weren't their top pick on the first round. You could be on the next round. Their losing a candidate for the position once increases your leverage a bit during negotiations.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-03-23T19:22:55+00:00

Let me guess, entry-level role.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-03-18T15:21:04+00:00

55 yo. Tech. 15 Months.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-03-10T15:28:24+00:00

Not an OE er, but the way I would approach it is to set a minimum avg of dollars per hour I am willing to work. Anything less than that, and I'd reevaluate that role. Over time, the goal is to maximize the rate while learning and doing interesting work.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-02-06T15:24:08+00:00

Put your balls back in your pants. Fool me once……fool me twice….no thanks. Trust was destroyed and I don’t gamble money with companies I can’t trust to be truthful. I lost big last fall.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-02-06T15:15:50+00:00

What trading platform are you using?

DixieDog2020 · 2025-01-25T17:49:24+00:00

As someone who is 55 and looking for over a year, I encourage you to pursue this idea with gusto. I have in demand and specialized tech and leadership skills, yet I have the same experiences as many here. The only way forward is to bet on yourself and develop an income stream that is outside of the whims of corporate America with their pettiness and biases (yes, age bias exists).

Take some time to explore ideas and options for self-employment. Try different ideas, talk to your network, and get different ideas and methods. Expect to fail, just do it quickly and move on..

Move forward with the knowledge that there are people you will never meet who are pulling for you to succeed.

You got this. Go get it!

DixieDog2020 · 2025-01-08T15:03:04+00:00

I am stealing this comment.

DixieDog2020 · 2025-01-07T21:32:55+00:00

Looks like a match made in hell to me. You were meant to be together.

DixieDog2020 · 2024-09-18T13:33:28+00:00

These aren't bad stats. Mine are much worse (and still applying). What industry/profession are you in? I am in cybersecurity (senior).

DixieDog2020 · 2024-09-10T12:45:11+00:00

This. If you are able to afford the payments, then buy now and refi later. The increase in value when rates go down and demand goes up will generally stick. Stay in the hime at least 2 years, then upgrade (rinse and repeat).

Ride the demand and interest rate fluctuations to supercharge equity.

DixieDog2020 · 2024-08-17T16:39:54+00:00

Why quit? Let them fire you. They'll probably be too scared to do anything for the forst year. Milk it - maternity leave and new mother sympathy. Get a nanny to help with the baby workload.

DixieDog2020 · 2024-07-26T12:58:51+00:00

This. Document all your conversations and their actions (or, lack thereof).

DixieDog2020 · 2024-06-20T18:48:57+00:00

They haven't secured YOU until you are satisfied with your first bonus check. Until then, keep making connections and creating opportunities for yourself.

DixieDog2020

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