Almost a Call For Help

[goldkin]

I don't normally use blogspace to talk about myself. Really. With IRC and Twitter, I have more than enough characters to rant when the mood strikes.

But this time, I truly need the extra space, if only to paint a vivid picture in words.*


For those that have absolutely no idea what I'm on about:

I'll be moving to a new city (Seattle) in four days. I've only managed to book a month on the first go, given my modest financial resources and concern over the state of the economy. And I currently have no job prospects.


How this happened:

For the past three years, I worked at a small anti-virus company with rather big clients (as in, Google). I made them a few million dollars, but it was time to go. I stated as much. In May, I left the company, with interviews in my back pocket and some bright prospects lined up.

And then the first one fell through: a company I'd worked with for five years, developing OSS tools, turned me down for a paid position. The second fell through: a solid government job, right up my alley. Then the third. The fourth.

Friends in companies couldn't get me an interview. My former manager (now with another company) stopped returning my calls. A business failed; independent consulting at my level just didn't pay the bills. And the job boards, well, we won't speak of those.**


Now, what's funny is I'm not a terrible person. I made a mint for my last job. I left them on favorable terms. I have two degrees: one in computing***, the other a generic MBA. I had a good GPA in college, though certainly not the best (3.58). I have a solid credit rating. And I have three years of excellent work and an advanced degree at a relatively young age (24).

And yes, I truly believe I know my stuff. I have a solid grasp of Shell Scripting, Python, C++, C, ASM, and just a ton of stuff. Did I mention we were reverse-engineering polymorphic malware? And programming an anti-virus product? And an x86 emulator?


What's terrifying: I can't even pull a phone interview.

Really.

Before quitting, I'd been searching since December. By now, I've run out of professional contacts. I don't want to beg friends for a job, if it can be avoided. I've already tried LinkedIn and job boards; I'm lucky to get auto-responses for even modest positions (temp worker, help desk, PHP developer). My headhunter contacts have all gone cold. And I really, honestly, don't know what else to do without completely abandoning my career as a programmer.

I also have my heart set on Seattle. I'll be moving in with my mate, and will be near some very awesome people. Seattle is one of the best cities for what I do. But, jobless, I only have so much time before I break the bank or am forced back home.


Given the situation, what would you do? I'm genuinely hopeful, if quite afraid.

I welcome all feedback.

---

* Of course, I'm posting this to LiveJournal only. After all, that's what it's for!

** At the time of this writing, I'm easily pulling several thousand applications on Monster, DICE, Gamasutra, USAJobs, Craigslist, and many private listings.

*** Actually, a BBA, with an undeclared minor in Computer Engineering and major in Computer Information Systems. I took the extra time to study computing on my own, since I felt I wasn't getting the best education in the classroom.

Comments

[gldm.livejournal.com]

I'm in the same boat really. Well, not really, I'm far less qualified. But I'm really wishing I'd learned a useful skill like welding instead of programming.

[goldkin.livejournal.com]

Well, there's an important distinction between "useful" and "in demand." The problem with knowledge work is that it's extremely fickle and cliquish -- literally anyone can claim they know Java, for instance. But when you get down to it, people are hired from a much smaller group.

The problem is, that group isn't necessarily a meritocracy. A good school and professional history definitely factor in. But, that first step -- the crucial "make or break" of whether you actually get an interview -- is almost always who you know, and who knows you.


That's part of why I'm so worried. My "who I know" bin is very small right now, and I don't want to use people, either. I got my last gig, literally, by posting on the CEO's blog.


Anyway, I hope things work out well for you, too. With luck, there'll be a place for all of us at the other end of the economy. :)

[baphnedia.livejournal.com]

Well, here's my advice:

I think its is AWESOME that you're moving up here. I wish I could be a solution, but hell, I'm about to resort to being a street musician because there isn't money in anything else (and hell, I can't even get interviews anymore).

My advice for me: college + focus on my company and music.
My advice for you: Set a dollar limit that is the 'shitbacktohome' or wherever your plan B is. Have your exit strategy, and by everything you hold dear, follow that exit strategy if events happen to trigger that contingency.

As for me, my plan Z is if everything else fails, I'll move to some 2nd or 3rd world country where my VA disability is 2x or 3x the amount I need to live on.

If I had more than a room, I'd lend you a place to stay... though, if you get interviews near where I'm at, I'll see if you can stay at my house (as in, ok it with the housemates) and save you any and all costs of lodging, at least.

[shadowing.livejournal.com]

I wish I could give you some advice, but no-one has deemed me worthwhile for a job in... um.... 6 or 7 years? I guess figure out whatever it is that we're both doing, and stop doing that.