Database Administration, Development, & Maintenance/ETL Development & Maintenance/SQL Report Development & Maintenance/T-SQL Stored Procedure Development & Maintenance/API Development & Maintenance... Wearer of Many Hats
Things I’ve decided: 1. Most of the remote positions I apply appear as if I’m qualified… when in fact I’m only “on-paper” qualified. What the other type of “qualified” looks like is a secret of the universe that hasn’t been revealed to me yet. 2. Somehow, there are jobs hiring way above or way below median. The ONLY explanation can be that all mid-level positions have skedattled by isekai. 3. Getting a second look without assistance from someone on the inside is really hard (^^^Somehow finding this out for the first time at 40^^^). 4. Despite spending 3 years (4 in December) solo-servicing the data needs for the 6th largest district in MN and rocking 3 more years as support/report servicing & development, the majority of linked-in listings will write you off w/o the college degree (I’m probably just misunderstanding what equivalent experience” in a listing means). 5. Being forced to remain where the the environment’s toxicity levelsw will multiply by 10 each day is not made easier after comparing your current, amazing insurance package against… Everything else. 6. The most likely culprit to mandate a 70/30 (In/Out) “hybrid” schedule (instead of full remote) WANTS competent resources, but cowers in fear when confronted by all these “new-fangled” changes. Status quo’s dying gasp: Because change is like… REALLY scary! 7. I’m too old and cantankerous to pretend that instead of manintaining a virtual vigil, an entirely digital resource has greater value when driving into the office to breath the same air as their co-workers. 8. I need a new job.
Yeah, hiring in general is broken. I will have an interview, provide examples and references for all the high level, director level work I've done, completed, and led. Then the hiring team/manager will say "but you haven't been a director yet, so we don't think it's the job for you." Or other style of excuse. It's an insiders game. Always.
Josh Erickson
6mo
The market is brutal! I spent 5 months unemployed, and the job I recently got was the first one I even got an interview for in all that time. I also experienced that everyone wants a generalist AND a specialist, 4+ years of SQL, reporting experience, customer service, tech support, and implementations was not enough. I needed to have all of that and 4+ years of python, JavaScript, AND various cloud based services (AWS, etc.) for 99% of employers to consider me. It was extremely frustrating as a homeowner/someone with an above average amount of monthly bills that could not be covered completely by unemployment. I mean I even attempted a career path shift by applying to an entry-level brewing job that paid $20 hourly and got turned down for even that! That all being said, there are mysterious diamonds in the mud, and you may just have someone reach out with a promising opportunity when all seems at its darkest. There ARE those positions out there, it’s just a matter of keeping yourself visible and waiting for those opportunities to arise while you slap your resume on the desk of as many terrified hiring associates as possible.
Christie Rosckes
6mo
All true - love your very witty writing. It’s hard. Wishing you luck! I’m in a similar boat. I’ve seen a ton of VP level remote roles but mid-level is tougher. Not sure I have any helpful connections but happy to reach out if you do see a co of interest in my list.
Hey Benjamin, yes to all of this. It's painful! I'd love to hop on a quick call to see if there are any suggestions I could make to help make it easier - even if just a few LinkedIn and resume tips or job search ideas. Feel free to reach out! (It's free 🙂)
Skilled Trades
4moI read all your latest stuff and I might have some input.