[bitshepherd]

This. So much _not_ this. You're suggesting self-flagellation as a solution.

When I was last unemployed, I made connections with people I had no intention of talking to other than for or about a job. I also kept my tech hobbies up, not cramming about algorithms and whiteboarding code. These hobbies led into questions from interviewers, which led into conversations, which eventually led to a job. My full-time job was finding a job, not memorizing algorithms and CS trivia tidbits.

My point is, you don't have to treat the job search like an exam. In my case, I've had to relocate several times when my network in a certain city couldn't come through and I needed gainful employment. In order to succeed in this industry, you need to be flexible like that if it comes down to it.