[luser001]

Did you look into Microsoft? I know we're supposed to think they're uncool, but being less hipster they might find your background interesting. Ditto Nokia (yeah, they're supposed to die Real Soon (which I don't believe), but does that really matter to you?)

You might want to split your move out of banking into a cool company into two phases: first move out the bank, then move to one of the "cool" companies.

I'm kinda in a similar boat as yourself, and afaik, except for enlightened pockets, our industry suffers from a deep suspicion of experience and expertise in anything except the rage of the day.

In a black humour sort of way, at least you're a Java expert. Imagine plight of the C++ expert. :)

[manku_timma]

C++ experts actually have it good (in London at least). Almost without exception, low latency trading systems are built in C++ and being an expert will get you an exciting and lucrative job pretty easily.

[bloodredsun]

There actually a lot of low latency stuff being done in Java now. Using the Azul Zing JVM and tricks like the Disruptor you can do some amazing stuff.

[throwaway1001]

Yes, I did. More precisely, I applied to Skype in London for a pretty relevant position. No reply.

[dagw]

Imagine plight of the C++ expert.

Met a guy working as a private contractor in the aerospace sector recently and he was desperate to hire expert C++ programmers at almost any price. I wish I had the 'plight' of being a C++ expert.