Finally Employed After a Year and a Month

Firstly, I am very thankful for finding employment. Though it is several steps below what my qualifications and experience merit, I am still appreciative. With that said, and maybe too truthfully here, I have to say the employment search process was awful. First, the recruiters that I came across, are some of the most horrible people I've ever encountered and I if I can never speak to one again it would be just fine with me. Next, the scam artists, (will leave race out of it) almost got me. They wanted me to send my drivers license and other private information. They got none of it, but I was pretty despriet and gave more time to one than I should have. Finally, contacts, this time, were completely useless. I don't know if it speaks to the job market's deficit of IT jobs, or the quality of my contacts, but not a damn one was able to get me so much as an interview - and I'm talking about VP's and above. I'm pretty sure the offer came through a "random" HR person finding me on LinkedIn (yeah, I know, not very reliable). I responded to her and when given the managers I would be interviewing with, researched them. I connected with one manager because I found out what his degree was in (not remotely IT related), and what one of his hobbies was, and talked to him about the hobby as I was leaving the interview. Guess what - I didn't get the job. Two months later, another position opened with a subsidiary of the company I interviewed with. Because I connected with that manager, about his hobby, he remembered me and called me back. He asked me to go to a URL and complete the application, then the subsidiary's director of IT called me and set up an interview for the same week. I looked to see if the application was still up the next day and it was not. After, two more interviews, I was hired by the subsidiary. It came down to making a connection with a manager, after finding out what their favorite hobby was. First time in 20 years of work in IT that I didn't use a referral from a contact to get a job. TLDR - Researched interviewing committee members and found their favorite hobbies, then leveraged that to make a connection to stand out and ultimately get a job after being passed over after an initial interview.

Jobadvisor:

This is a powerful and relatable story of resilience and resourcefulness in a tough job market. Here's a breakdown of your experience and some observations:

Key Takeaways:

• The Job Search is Brutal: You've articulated the frustrations many face: unresponsive recruiters, scam attempts, and the often-disappointing reality of relying on professional contacts.
• Networking Beyond the Resume: Your success highlights the importance of genuine connection. While your qualifications got you the initial interview, it was your ability to connect on a personal level that made you memorable.
• Persistence Pays Off: Despite being initially passed over, your persistence and the impression you made led to a subsequent opportunity.
• Resourcefulness is Key: You used readily available information (LinkedIn, online research) to your advantage, demonstrating your ability to strategize and adapt.

Observations:

• The Power of Personal Connection: In a competitive market, technical skills are often a baseline. What sets candidates apart is their ability to connect with people. Your strategy of researching interviewers' hobbies and engaging in genuine conversation proved effective.
• The Limitations of Traditional Networking: Your experience underscores that even high-level contacts may not always be able to deliver. This highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to job searching.
• The Role of Chance and Timing: You acknowledge the role of "random" HR outreach and the subsequent opening at the subsidiary. Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time is a factor.
• The importance of following up, and staying on the radar of the hiring managers.

Reflections:

• Your story is a testament to the importance of looking beyond conventional job-seeking strategies.
• It reinforces the idea that human connection remains a crucial element in the hiring process.
• It also illustrates the importance of not giving up.

In summary: You navigated a challenging job market with determination and ingenuity. Your success highlights the value of personal connection, persistence, and resourcefulness. Congratulations on your new position!