[yesiamyourdad]

I've done some searching. 30 years experience, I've been writing Java and Python since the 90s. I was working in .NET since Beta 1. I'm very much a generalist, but I can't even get a call back from a company that looked ideal - I had worked at a successful startup that invented the space that company was in, I had demonstrated experience in all the relevant tech on the posting, I'm local and have no problem with the commute... does my resume suck that badly?

My theory on this is that X created a bit of a chill that became a full blown cold front. While the high profile layoffs at the FAANGs, percentage-wise it wasn't that big and most of these companies are still above pre-pandemic staffing levels, but it affected job seekers profoundly.

While those numbers are true in aggregate, a layoff is disastrous to an individual. There's no more "take this job and shove it, I'll have a new one by the end of the week". My current employer has a moribund stock price, and is nowhere near a prestige name, has suddenly stopped complaining about not being able to find qualified candidates. On recent data engineering position that opened had 350 applicants. I can't imagine what the FAANGs are getting. It must make navigating the pipeline that much more challenging. I've had 2 recruiters tell me that you really need a referral, or better a champion inside the company to get you seen.

I've heard some tales from recruiters about how aggressively recruiters poach job listings, it seems companies now feel empowered to play recruiters off against each other.

For my part, I'm out of market for another job for now, barring something extraordinary. I've made my peace with my situation: it's not awesome, but it's OK and it's time to focus on other things in life than landing a dream job.

[tacostakohashi]

Similar situation - generalist, and "too much" general experience / not specialized enough.

The current market conditions have changed my thinking from "I just need to brush up on leetcode, learn a new language/framework or two, and I'd be able to step up into a better job" to "I'd probably be hard pressed to land a similar/better job from what I have ever again, best to milk what I have while I can".

I'm at peace with that though, I wouldn't mind just moving to a low cost area, and working on other / non-tech things at this point.