Looking for professional job these days

This may look like a rant, it might be.

I guess my frustration level had reached its point regarding looking for a professional job in my field; Information Technology. Its starting to get ridiculous whereas every time if not most of the time your cover letter or resume get screened by a bot to find specific keywords gets tossed in the garbage. Apply online, as if walk-in are not welcome anymore. Its getting harder to find connection to be employed through someone or if you know that someone.

Worst part is, that I'm not "up-to-date". With countless of software, hardware and other IT related stuff, what am I supposed to focus on? As much I want to change my profession to trade; at age 36 is becoming out of question due to sports injuries.

so now I sit here and think, now what? Not sure how many of you are out there like me. -__-

It may not be the "bots" bitting you but the fact as you admit your not up to date.
Right now there is a need for robotic programers.

Create your own destiny. You obviously have skills, certifications, degree or a diploma etc.

I'm a red seal certified carpenter. It's not too late to start an apprenticeship in a trade. As an apprentice, it's all about your attitude, desire to learn and work ethic. One of the best carpenters I have ever worked with started in carpentry in his early 30's. I can help guide you through the process of registering as an apprentice if you do decide to do as what you want to pursue.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

If you have a degree there are are opportunities out there, web/Java and mobile jobs are still available and if you have skills in Analysis and Design and the right tools and techniques (UML/Agile/Jira...) that will open more opportunities. Location and willingness to move or relocate help, gov't jobs are hiring like idiots still and paying well but you have to be in the right locations.

There are many streams you can aim at, technical, business and QA, once you pick one it can be harder to change streams other than the technical, you can always ... for lack of a better phrase .... techie dumb down your resume (and pay of course) and do business or QA analyst work.... for example a long time ago I applied for a tech position but found the drive ridiculous but they keep sending me new job listings like:
https://jobs.shoppersdrugmart.ca/job...siness-Analyst

and of course the gov't listings.... IT has 15 listings and atleast 20 jobs.
https://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Search.aspx

Rogers and the banks will pay better for a very Senior PA with that kind of Java often but here is a sample gov't job...
SENIOR PROGRAMMER ANALYST
Organization:Ministry of Education
City:Toronto
Salary: $72,666.75 - $93,873.00 Per Year*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.
Posting Status: Open
Job ID: 113750

Are you an experienced developer with strong JAVA skills, with interest in building high-performing, scalable and enterprise-grade applications? Well, bring your technical expertise and consulting services to the Community Services I&IT Cluster for the development, implementation and technology support of the iACCESS Solutions Branch.




"Once you find work you enjoy it means you won't "work" anymore" is a good phrase to describe the right job so think about what you would want to do first .... then if that doesn't work... "where's the money so I can do what I want" is another good phrase but that does mean harder work.

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Originally Posted by poltrojan

This may look like a rant, it might be.

I guess my frustration level had reached its point regarding looking for a professional job in my field; Information Technology. Its starting to get ridiculous whereas every time if not most of the time your cover letter or resume get screened by a bot to find specific keywords gets tossed in the garbage. Apply online, as if walk-in are not welcome anymore. Its getting harder to find connection to be employed through someone or if you know that someone.

Worst part is, that I'm not "up-to-date". With countless of software, hardware and other IT related stuff, what am I supposed to focus on? As much I want to change my profession to trade; at age 36 is becoming out of question due to sports injuries.

so now I sit here and think, now what? Not sure how many of you are out there like me. -__-

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You are in IT, anything technology moves very fast, you say that you are 36 but are not up to date with the software, that is probably your biggest issue. You need to learn what people are using and you need to do it fast, in the tech field if you are not learning every single day and building up your skills you are dead. You may have a job today but tomorrow when they let you go you will be of no benefit to anyone else.

You always need to be learning. One guy I work with told me that the only way to keep employed is to make sure they cannot function without you, it makes perfect sense, be their only option with your knowledge and keep up.

I was laid off for 1 year of the first 2 I was out of school, 2 6 month stretches, it is really tough. My father had no idea what it was like, he always had people wanting to hire him, nature of the beast right now, jobs are hard to come by in the tech fields.

OP,

Clearly your only option is to become a professional giggalo. I kid but hopefully I brought a smile to your face. I have been there and I feel for ya. It will get better, don't give up mate.

Dyth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by poltrojan

This may look like a rant, it might be.

I guess my frustration level had reached its point regarding looking for a professional job in my field; Information Technology. Its starting to get ridiculous whereas every time if not most of the time your cover letter or resume get screened by a bot to find specific keywords gets tossed in the garbage. Apply online, as if walk-in are not welcome anymore. Its getting harder to find connection to be employed through someone or if you know that someone.

Worst part is, that I'm not "up-to-date". With countless of software, hardware and other IT related stuff, what am I supposed to focus on? As much I want to change my profession to trade; at age 36 is becoming out of question due to sports injuries.

so now I sit here and think, now what? Not sure how many of you are out there like me. -__-

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No - walk-ins are definitely not welcome.
No one has time for that when a 15 second scan of a resume will do.
If your resume does not contain keywords that get you selected for an interview, going to the interview likely will just be a waste of your (and the interviewer's time).

Indeed.ca is a good place to look for jobs.
A lot (probably more than half) positions are filled through personal connections.

If you've been working in the IT field for 15 years and don't have personal connections that can find you a position, you should be asking yourself why. That may seem a bit harsh - but it *really* is something you need to look at for the future.

If you're willing too relocate to Ottawa and travel internationally 25% of the time, send a resume [email protected].
Requires skills - Linux/Java, hibernate, REST services, html5/javascript. Please include education, work history and salary expectations.
For each project, indicate start/end dates, your role on the project and technology used.

Guys, thanks for the feedback. I do appreciate them. The worst part is I have to pass up the giggalo gig, just got married recently. lol. But on a serious note, as for contacts I had few of them trying to get me into their workplace especially my wife who tried so hard for a full year, 10 personal calls to managers or director in IT to at least give me an interview at CIBC, I only had one off-record in a cafe.

Like I wrote 'a rant'... hmm hopefully the woods will clear my head for dec 9-10 with dad for bow deer hunt.

Cheers mates.

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Originally Posted by poltrojan

Guys, thanks for the feedback. I do appreciate them. The worst part is I have to pass up the giggalo gig, just got married recently. lol. But on a serious note, as for contacts I had few of them trying to get me into their workplace especially my wife who tried so hard for a full year, 10 personal calls to managers or director in IT to at least give me an interview at CIBC, I only had one off-record in a cafe.

Like I wrote 'a rant'... hmm hopefully the woods will clear my head for dec 9-10 with dad for bow deer hunt.

Cheers mates.

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Have you looked into what possible courses you could get into for free? They do not necessarily have to be in your field but some online courses or working for next to nothing for someone that could see what you have to bring to the table. It is always easier to find a job when you have a job and it has nothing to do with what you know but rather who you know.

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Originally Posted by Fox

Have you looked into what possible courses you could get into for free? They do not necessarily have to be in your field but some online courses or working for next to nothing for someone that could see what you have to bring to the table. It is always easier to find a job when you have a job and it has nothing to do with what you know but rather who you know.

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Courses are a good option, there are lots you can learn. When I switched from mainframe to PC dev I had a friend that was a senior developer/analyst who did walkthrus of the code and design documents I wrote and I wrote a small program for a friends business for free ,that he never used anyway, BUT it was a full project from concept, design, coding, QA and approval and it cost me a few beers and dinners. I used all the free tools, templates, database tools and design patterns I could and made sure the walk thrus covered everything. Having someone with that much experience beat me essentially, when I got the job I was looking for I was soon in charge of fixing the contractors code and reviewing/fixing and QAing their work.

Another point, I just had to look at a bunch of Waterloo COOPs for winter term and resumes are important and some really STINK!!!! Each resume needs to be honest BUT needs to highlight the why you should work here question by expanding on or emphasizing a skill they are asking for.

Like I said, think about what you would get paid at and enjoy and Good Luck



P.S.
A couple tips for when you do get in besides the usual work hard:
1) document everything, remember the order of blame (contractor, new guy, guy that left and THEN the actual person responsible),
2) don't volunteer or question the vendor if they are integrating (I did, off the project soon out the door... I was familiar with the problem from previous work and in the first meeting I asked questions the PM and Vendor didn't like, never invited to another meeting even though I was the S/A... in the end project failed huge write off.) only explain to the internal staff later, IF they seem willing to listen. They have big money involved even just starting a project and unless you have a sponsor in the company they may view you as unneeded.
3) extra hours for a newbie aren't an option, they are a requirement but if it is a gov't job don't outshine the existing deadwood. Deadwood in a company usually is someone that knows someone and can cause you problems.
4) layoffs happen, been there done that a few times....at one company when I was off the day they did the layoffs (almost 50% of the staff) I was called at home and told I was fired.... that was less than 2 weeks after I had got an award for leading a team and project and meeting a real tight deadline. My manager was trying to get them to keep me was also in the group layed off.
5) Short term contracts can be extended .... again and again and again.... better to be working.

Nope, I totally get it. The job market these days doesn't make you feel secure. I love my current job but would like to move up. My options are become a manager (not interested) or go to Toronto (also not interested). All the while, not feeling secure in what I'm doing. So you're allowed your rant and to feel sorry for yourself. Then you dust yourself off and giv'er in your day to day, always making it clear you're willing to learn and evolve.

You are asking too many questions and that is not part of your job description or programming, now get back to work Slave!

...haha feel your pain...