[durnygbur]

As a person actively applying in EU... the market reeks candidate desperation. Salaries remained constant or even decreased in numbers despite over 10% inflation. Zero flexibility on the employer side "need 5 years of SRE experience for SRE position, need 5 years of DevOps experience for DevOps position, etc". WTF is going on. With the perspective of mangling my brain on the "next cool" Angular stack I'll remain working on personal projects, thanks.

[jeffrallen]

I just got a job in the EU by watching on my desired commute path for new company signs I hadn't noticed before, then researching them. I found a startup in an industry that interested me, made an effort to network my way into the eyes of the CEO, and then made myself available when he had work available.

The whole process took 9 months.

The front door of companies is always locked due to the unintended consequences of trying to scale up HR and recruiting. Hang out by the side door, and an insider will let you in. (Remember that "bad recruiting" is a problem insiders are trying to solve, just as you are.)

[mathverse]

9 months is an absolutely stupidly long for an EU position.

The pay is so meh that it is not worth it

[blagie]

I've generally taken at least that long looking for new jobs.

It depends on whether you want /a/ position, or /the/ position. My past few jobs have been perfect fits for my background and interests, and I genuinely enjoyed work.

A random SWE position is petty fungible. Perfect fits are rare. Markets are pretty inefficient too, so you can command better salary or benefits, if you want.

[jeffrallen]

Or better commute, meaning of work, or intellectual stimulation.

Put yourself into a situation where you can take your time, then take it. You are responsible for making your own reality.

[LightG]

Agree with all of the above. Currently in a stable job and 6 months and counting into my job search.

Absolute desire to leave but not for some rubbish compromise out of desperation. It can be frustrating but I believe it will be worthwhile to get the right role. And, importantly, I'm in no despeate rush.

[jeffrallen]

9 months is a typical amount of time it takes to network your way into a company.

The key is patience, persistence, keeping multiple options open, flexibility, and understanding the needs of your future colleagues. When it works it looks lucky, but you can't rush "luck" of this type. :)

[mathverse]

That does not sound right?....Usual IT positions in Europe (50-80k jobs) always took max 1-2 months for me.

[jeffrallen]

If you apply by the front door, and get in, fine, maybe you get some job in 2 months. But the best jobs are not available that way. Mine was not.

[mathverse]

I partially agree but in Europe (with a mortgage) I am no longer able to judge what's a good job vs "the best job".

[0xfaded]

I think there's some wisdom in this. A huge amount of talent is about to be unlocked and a lot of BS cleared.

The good ideas will continue to be funded, so keeping a keen eye out and being in a position to jump makes sense.

[sofixa]

EU is pretty big and varied, the markets in Spain, Slovenia and Estonia are probably quite different, let alone per city. I can assure you none of what you said applies to France (at least Paris but many of the jobs i see/saw/interviewed for were fully remote, so I don't see why they wouldn't accept people from other areas of France).

[fer]

France resident here, anecdotal evidence, but Paris (and IDF) companies tend to only accept +100% match (close to 100% requirements + big chunk of the "nice to haves") for remote positions. If you miss anything from their stack they just pick someone else since the pool is much bigger. If you live in IDF they seem to care less about you being a perfect fit.

[ushakov]

have you tried applying to US-based startups with offices in EU?

pay is 2x average + bonuses/stock options

still nowhere near US though

[Yoric]

As someone who changed job last year, I didn't feel that pressure. My anecdotal experience was pretty much the opposite.

I was looking for remote work, could be related?

[isbvhodnvemrwvn]

What time last year? Inflation has advanced quite a bit even since November.