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I would urge you to consider that you are not the only one looking for a fit, and it sounds like your frustration comes from the lack of such a fit (i.e. a role that you feel plays to your qualities, and where the employer feels the same way). Technical knowledge is great (essential, even) - IT is a meritocracy and all that - but don't forget that people need to work with you, and you with them. It may be people have an issue mentally fitting you in the 'right' box (as others have suggested), and possibly, the same is true for you (you don't like the sound of their box). So as has been suggested, don't only look for a role/job that motivates you, try and look for something that speaks to you personally, and where you feel there is a good chance of cultural fit. And don't take the rejections personally - ultimately, the outcome will always be binary, and I doubt it is the experience of most people here to systematically get offers _when they are the ones looking_. Opinions are good, and if you value your own opinions, stick to them, and look for somewhere that agrees with you on their value.
If you don't find that, do question yourself. No matter how frustrating this all is, it will lead to something, be it your dream gig, your foot on the right career ladder, or a complete change of direction. Again, do not take this personally - from your side, you are (of course, and to your credit) doing your best - but you have no way of knowing that anyone else is, and hence, of knowing you are being assessed on your merits. FWIW, I have had to move countries twice to find my first job, and am currently having difficulty finding the next one, with 10+ years of experience behind me.
IT hiring has its own weird hiring patterns and peculiarities, and most likely, your break will be down to luck - and like much luck, you may need to create the conditions for it to happen... |
I don't mean to engage in discussion with myself, at least not in public.
If New York is what you want, make that happen. But make clear this is your priority, and that what you get, you won't take personally: we all need to make decisions that involve our future, and they aren't always the pretty ones.
If you want your technical knowledge to be the priority, make that happen. If you do it right, you can possibly move to New York, if you still want that.
I don't think age is the issue - and honestly, everyone asks for experience, which you can convince people you have: you need to point out the relevant aspects of what you have done.
If you feel, as you say, that you could be incredibly useful, then surely you must have some opinion about where you want to apply this: for yourself, for others, for love, for money, for recognition, for the lulz?