3DNN

Situation: I took off a year to finish up my masters and I'm in the market again...started my search around July/August.

I've been hunting & interviewing for 4 months for a programming job--I've probably been on 20 or more interviews at this point--my strengths are Java (albeit a bit rusty, as I haven't done professional Java development in nearly 2 years) & SQL Server development, though my knowledge is a lot broader than that. And interestingly enough, I took a Java course before I graduated to refresh my memory and I was (secretly) the curve-killer.

And I damned better be, since I've done it for 4+ years.

Java is supposedly hot and there's allegedly a developer shortage in NYC. And I've been a developer for nearly 10 years, so it's not as if I'm new to any of this. Yet I've had the damndest luck, even with beginner/mid-level positions.

A large part of that I attributed to renewing my interviewing skills, but that doesn't seem to be the only issue.

Anybody in the industry know what is going on, because my funds are getting depleted!

try Jobstreet.com

If you interest in Asia....

_________________

Lan

Wireless

Just curious Muppet, how's that going?

Well, I found a job a month or so back, though I'm not doing development/software engineering.

Quite disappointing, as the skills I've picked up over the years will rot :/

The lowest point was when I was strongly encouraged by a head-hunter to take an Access/Excel
job to "get my foot in the door".

My bit of advice: You have to come off as a bit arrogant if you're going for anything beyond
first-time development/programming. It doesn't really matter what your background or ability really is,
unless it's absolutely stellar. Thinking back on my interviews now, there were a bunch times I
should have taken offense at certain questions and shot back but my even temperedness during
interviews actually hurt me.

Essentially, people think you're lightweight unless you quickly shutdown questions and comments
that probe whether or not you're a "wannabe" techie. Unfortunately, that goes against my nature.

Well, I hope that helps some of you.

Naturally an employer is going to ask you about your skill sets. There are probably several other applicants with the roughly the same skills as yours, but what will separate you from the others is how well you can confidently communicate the idea that your skills will benefit the bottom line. Let them know what you have done for other businesses that helped them become more efficient and/or saved them money. This is ultimately what they're looking for in an applicant anyway.

Another important piece of advice is to let them know that you know how to negotiate a salary. Oftentimes the employer will ask you how much you're expecting to be paid if they don't list the starting wages outright. Put the ball in their end of the court. That way you'll have a better idea of what salary range they have in mind for your position. What has worked for me is a standard answer I always give an employer when they ask how much I'm looking for. When asked, I always say "AT THIS POINT I'M MORE INTERESTED IN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION THAN I AM AT THE SIZE OF THE INITIAL OFFER."

If the employer persists in trying to get you to bid for the position, again put the ball in their end of the court. I often use my secondary reply, "I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A SET RANGE THAT YOU MUST ADHERE TO, BUT YOU'RE IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION TO KNOW HOW MUCH THIS JOB SHOULD PAY THAN I DO."

At this point, the interviewer will either concede and let you know what they're looking to pay, or they will stonewall you some more. This will give you more information on which to make a decision as to whether or not you really want to work there.

Remember, confidence is the key. Let them know you are Tha Man!