One of those days...

Today has been just one of those unproductive job hunting days. I mean I looked, but found nothing new that I qualify for. I can't hit all the sites in one day, but the ones I was able to search on there was nothing.

I am a software engineer. For those of you who are not aware, software engineers specialize in very specific software languages and/or technologies. It is not always a conscious choice - it happens because of the positions you get, and the decisions that are made regarding development you are often not a part of (either because you were not there yet, or those decisions are made by others in the chain of command). So when looking for a job, I am really only likely to even be considered for positions where I have experience in the languages/technologies required. There are some who know it is better to hire a better engineer who just needs to learn new syntax (the basics, in all languages are the same) and some cool features (and a good engineer is always eager to learn about cool new features). A lot, if not most, feel that if the new hire can hit the ground running they will get the most bang for their buck. Personally, I would use the latter criteria only if the position is short term - like 3 - 4 months.

It's hard to stay motivated on days like these. To push on to the next career opportunity source is laborious. I take mini breaks to help break the tedium, but it remains difficult. At least at work, you can usually contrive some 'win' no matter how small. It helps keep the spirits up between the big wins. I could not contrive a win today, no matter how hard I tried and how small.

Looking for work

I am among the many who find themselves unemployed during this tough economic time. I have not been lucky in continued employment since graduating from college in 2000. I have been down-sized, driven out due office political reasons, and had a personal issue arise that kept me from working for about a year.

Anyway, the point is that I am one of those many that are seeking work. Even in the best of times, this is a very frustrating position to be in. But these are not the best of times now, for more than economic reasons for me.

I find looking for work to be like a tortuous roller coaster of emotions. At times you have several things going - and even though you know you shouldn't, you get particularly excited about at least one of these opportunities. Then all of the things you had made some progress on fall through, most painfully the one you really wanted. You lose heart. Applying for jobs is a necessary pain of each day, but you don't really anything will come of them. Then you get something like a tug on the line, and you try so hard not to get too excited because of the corresponding disappoint that is most likely to follow.

So, it is partly from the vantage point of an desperately-seeking-work citizen, that forms my view of the world right now. Posts will also be fairly spaced-out because I devote most of my time to finding new positions to apply for.