Re:America is pushing the labour market to its limits
by Consultant32452 on Monday September 17, 2018 @03:43PM
(#18009287)
I'll offer my anecdata as a counter-example. Within the past year I was offered a nice 6-figure salary at a prominent banking company after a single phone interview. I'm (just barely) a millennial also with no degree, no certifications, didn't even go to tech school.
I can't speak to your personal situation, but speaking generally I think too many tech people over-value their technical skills. If all a company needs is a warm body that can code or patch servers they will hire a better coder in India for half the price. The number one differentiator is communication and social skills. At my job there are 4 main groups I talk to: local coworkers, India coworkers, management, clients. Being a person who can talk to all 4 of those groups is valuable. Being a person who can churn out code is not particularly valuable.
Communication, of course, starts on the resume. If you're not even getting calls, I would suggest getting some help on your resume. Hire a professional if you need to.
If your job history is a mess take a few crappy consulting gigs and then a year from now you can say, "I've been successfully consulting for a while but now am looking for a place to settle in." That way you at least look consistent.
If interviewing is tough for you, then do it more. If you have stable job put your resume out there and accept at least 2-3 interviews every 6 months. Even/Especially if you are happy with your current job. Not needing the new job takes the pressure off. The practice will be good for you and you never know, you might find an amazing opportunity.
I can't speak to your personal situation, but speaking generally I think too many tech people over-value their technical skills. If all a company needs is a warm body that can code or patch servers they will hire a better coder in India for half the price. The number one differentiator is communication and social skills. At my job there are 4 main groups I talk to: local coworkers, India coworkers, management, clients. Being a person who can talk to all 4 of those groups is valuable. Being a person who can churn out code is not particularly valuable.
Communication, of course, starts on the resume. If you're not even getting calls, I would suggest getting some help on your resume. Hire a professional if you need to.
If your job history is a mess take a few crappy consulting gigs and then a year from now you can say, "I've been successfully consulting for a while but now am looking for a place to settle in." That way you at least look consistent.
If interviewing is tough for you, then do it more. If you have stable job put your resume out there and accept at least 2-3 interviews every 6 months. Even/Especially if you are happy with your current job. Not needing the new job takes the pressure off. The practice will be good for you and you never know, you might find an amazing opportunity.