What am I doing wrong? I'm a professional with over eight years of experience, and I've never been unemployed for more than 15 days in all that time; there's always been a project or company interested in my services. But now, simply finding a job is becoming incredibly difficult.

I'm a software engineer, but for the past few years, I've worked as a Tech Lead or Engineering Manager, and I've even founded my own startup.

What's the secret sauce to landing a good tech job these days?

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I hear ya. I got 25+ years in big companies always being a performer. I'm on 5 months getting denials. It will change. Hopefully soon.

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The market hasn't changed your worth, just how it's being communicated. What industry are you targeting?

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The secret sauce is to find someone who can say you’re the perfect fit for a job before that job opens to candidates. Referrals are key to landing roles these days!

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There’s no secret sauce. It’s a whole different job market than it was 2+ years ago. You have to have a strong resume with quantifiable metrics/results for every bullet items. A list of responsibilities will get overlooked. Since its an employer’s market, you have to customize your resume for every role you apply, they all want you to meet 95+% of the requirements. Your best chances is networking your butt off, a referral by someone who can get your resume to the recruiter and hiring manager is your best option.
Is hard to say this but get ready for a 6-8 months search. Consider all options including relocation as most employers are now wanting onsite or hybrid. Remote roles will have the most applicants.
It took me 7 months to land a role (starting in a week) it was from a standard application not a referral but I have a security clearance which helped.
Have a system that works for you, dedicate time for different tasks, it’s a full-time job in itself.
Good luck to you!!

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You're probably not doing anything wrong. Nobody can find a job. AI layoffs have decimated the market. Some people on this forum have been looking for over a year.

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I would say that, you're not doing anything wrong. It's the AI filter throwing out most everyone. Or, it's a ghost jobs that will never be filled. Companies think they are saving time and money using these AI filters. Applicants end up feeling like they are wasting time trying. And end up feeling like all of their experience is useless especially if they find out that they were passed over for someone who has less experience.

I have a particularly off normal path that doesn't make my search any easier. 7 years web development 12 years mechanic and now 10 years as a motorcoach driver. I am catching up on web development, at 61 my body is too beaten and broken for returning to automotive or any other physical labor. Being a motorcoach driver is good, but not enough money for my needs. Right now, it's a job, but I am seriously searching for a development role again.

I have been applying for those roles, but the only thing I am getting calls for is being a life insurance rep. Nowhere near anything I have experience with nor interest in.

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What does your resume look like? How much Ai mention? How much Ai experience? Companies are only hiring people who can replace 5 other people.

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Well something odd recent happened to me. I had two short jobs recently that employers constantly looked at and ignored the fact that I have over a decade in the trade and every other job was 3+ years. They act like they don’t want people to move on or move up. So I removed those and started applying for higher positions management in my field as an engineer, within the week I’ve had to great interviews paying way more than what I was setting my bar too.. what I’m saying is if you have the experience see where you can apply it to improve your position and clean up your resume if needed!

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I hear ya its like we have too much experience or not enough, I am 19 years now in IT.. struggling too .been almost 2 months

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With your background spanning engineering, tech leadership and founding a startup, the issue isn't your experience. It's likely how your resume communicates that breadth. Recruiters need to immediately see which role you're targeting. A startup founder turned Engineering Manager needs very different positioning than a traditional engineer. What types of roles are you actively targeting right now?

I agree that referrals are huge here, and also that it’s not you doing anything wrong. It’s a very difficult and tough market.

It’s the job market and A1 there’s nothing wrong with yiu but if you’re paying attention A1 is here, tariffs, and our current administration has caused employers to pause becuaee theres currently more people looong than there are jobs. Do you realize how many applications or resumes employers are receiving for one job!

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