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It's confusing to me because literally every single one is a $110k- senior level position. I just need a job to 'get back in the market'. It doesn't matter what it is so long as it's real. I can work myself up from within the same company, get raised to a senior level pay or just bounce to another company from there. But literally there seems to be no non senior level positions. I'm all over kill for them, but I guess because of my "2 year gap" and what'll even be worse, maybe no references that'll answer the phone anymore, they're going to demote me to "entry level" jobs. But there are none. They won't even let me offer half pay for the same job.

It's confusing to me because literally every single one is a $110k- senior level position. I just need a job to 'get back in the market'. It doesn't matter what it is so long as it's real. I can work myself up from within the same company, get raised to a senior level pay or just bounce to another company from there. But literally there seems to be no non senior level positions. I'm all over kill for them, but I guess because of my "2 year gap" and what'll even be worse, maybe no references that'll answer the phone anymore, they're going to demote me to "entry level" jobs. But there are none. They won't even let me offer half pay for the same job.

(post is archived)

[–] • 12 pts

Because they really don't want to hire anyone, they want to present a case to employ a visa worker and they have to make a claim through form I-129. This listing serves as artificial evidence that they couldn't find anyone qualified in the United States. Its also why they put both the subjective term "senior" and have the salary over $100k.

[–] • 1 pt

One thing that was interesting is I was offering $40/hr. They wouldn't even let me. So I'm now just offering "whatever is the lowest amount you'll offer". It's actually getting fascinating results. They get super excited about my potential and immediately "oh no no we'll get you a salary that's worth it, you should be worth our max or this". And I'm like "ok but I'm offering this. What you said is ok and good." and they're like "ok excellent! now this.."

Totally better outcomes and the pay rate (offered at stage 0) ends up exactly the same.

[–] • 0 pt

I would never hire a discount programmer. I don't want someone who writes buggy code.

[–] • 6 pts (edited )

1) Put down technology consulting for your two-year gap. Make up a name and put it on your profile for the consulting. No need to start a company. 2) Do a few jobs on gig economy websites and use them as references for that two-year consulting stint. 3) Skip the "starting over" bs and apply to the senior positions. 4) Tell them you wanted to try being an entrepreneur, but miss working with a bigger company that has resources.

[–] • 2 pts

A lot of 'recruiters' have basically said this in the form of asking for it "have you done any consulting in this time" and they basically won't allow anyone to say no.

I told another recruiter I have a repertoire with if it's a problem I'll say personal projects I've done in the past were things I was working on recently (and also work on those a little bit).

4) Tell them you wanted to try being an entrepreneur, but miss working with a bigger company that has resources.

Actually I totally forgot I've already done this. It was a 1 year break. And I had absolutely no issues getting in to a job afterwards. Thanks for reminding me!

Thanks!

[–] • 1 pt

This^

I’m not a programmer or anything like that, but..same principle applies for what I do. I would have a couple of big gaps (one for two+ years) on my resume, but I had my own clients during that time and/or was doing contract work for companies.

Granted, I’m actually being truthful and could supply proof by way of 1099’s if I had to, whereas it sounds like you couldn’t..

But then, no one has ever actually asked for any proof from me that I actually did consulting/contract work during those times, either.

I’d say that so long as you can speak about your consulting/contract work during those times confidently and believably, you’ll be fine.

[–] • 0 pt

And insurance... insurance costs are the killer, esp if you have a wife who was previously covering you.

[–] • 0 pt

Don't tell a prospective employer that you are seeking a job because of the cheaper healthcare insurance...

[–] • 4 pts

Yes, because senior-level doesn't require supervision. You will as an entry level position.

[–] • 2 pts

If I’m going to rely on somebody to work remote, I want a senior level dev with experience and a solid background. Too many curryniggers snag entry level jobs and then don’t do shit other than collect a check and streetshit code.

[–] • 2 pts

Companies don't hire to mentor and promote anymore. They lay the blame on workers job-hopping, but repressed wages and company disloyalty opened pandora's box and it can't be closed again.

To fix the problem they created, they only want those who don't need any kind of mentoring or training or potentially even company onboarding. They want senior, know-it-all developers that are ready to give 110% for shit pay.

[–] • 2 pts

On average: juniors require too much supervision to be remote.

When I hire software devs, I only open senior positions to remote employment. I require new graduates to show up to the office (at least for some period of time until we have a good performance track record.)

Keep in mind: this remote+senior requirement is not about knowledge, this is about work ethic, about discipline, etc.

If you are older (sounds like it), then you may be more "senior" than you realize ... you may fit the "mature enough to stay focused and get tasks done, even if they are junior tasks" requirement.

Go apply for both junior on site (and state up front that you would be remote) and senior remote (state up front what you bring to the table.)

[–] • 2 pts

Just apply. If you have 50% of what they want, apply and see what happens. The job description will be filled with the wish list, and you may have enough of it to get picked. In any event, a job interview is interview practice. Since the interview could be via computer, set up a professional space to show where you'd work from home, have your suit and tie picked out.

[–] • 1 pt

Time to get a burner phone or two and brush up on your impersonations for the references. Just don't go with an accent. I can see how impersonating an Indian may get you an actual, American born, no accent indian talking to you in their native dialect. Good luck, job hunting bro

[–] • 1 pt

Ha Ha I've thought of this. It's absolutely ridiculous and revolting level to lose a good offer / opportunity simply because people I don't have any control over don't want to answer the phone / email that I know I am well / over qualified for the job for. I worked 8 years for one company. I did the right thing. Now all my preferred references are 10 years in the past. What am I supposed to do? I did what was right. At this point if someone had a 5+ year at job I'd be telling them look for an exit while your references from there are still good because if something goes sour and a recession happens you are d.e.a.d. career wise.

[–] • 1 pt

In my field of corporate risk, anyone with experience starts out as a Senior consultant. If you have a couple years you can start at that, regardless of a gap. Know your worth, don’t make yourself look desperate. Most places no longer call references, all they can do is verify you have worked here or not. Good luck.

[–] • 0 pt

What's interesting is I had one call who just said "You have experience in a very specific field / item. Our firm / group simply just hires you / people from this group basically without an interview. So we just go off by talking with your previous managers. Can you please just give us the names of your previous managers".

And I got pretty fired up. I was like I can you tell the names of my previous managers. But I can you tell you my previous manager got fired shortly after I was let go, and it was probably because of letting me go. I don't see how I could ever give that manager as someone who should be referencing me. I can give the names of two other managers I had there but I have no clue what they'll say. Probably nuetral-good. But I have no clue. I was technically let go with severance.

And I asked them, can you see how there is a potential conflict of interest with this approach? Not all previous direct managers can or are preferred to be references. I asked them how they normally deal with this conflict of interest, ie if I'm currently employed how do I use my current direct manager? I told I can get references of people I worked with, or I went down the list of previous jobs and explained the exit situations and that all could be used, but not all preferred and why. (ie one left on great terms, mutual scenario left for location reasons, other left for too low pay, expected sour impression, another left even though it was going great, they've been trying to rehire me for years, probably jealous and using them would weaken my own relation with them).

[–] • 0 pt

I would just give them the corporate number and the manager’s name that fired you. They can verify your employment. If you live in the US they cannot legally ask more than that. Don’t offer references unless they specifically ask. If you need personal references ask a friend or former coworker.

[–] • 0 pt

I gave the list but I actually told them do not contact them unless you make an offer. I said do not burn my references' willingness to be a reference unless you have an offer.

[–] • 1 pt

Because we are only hiring leaders. Peons are offshored.

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

If you are skilled, go for the senior positions! worst case scenario you dont get them, but bosses are more than happy to allow some gaps in exchange for good skills, trust me.

Just give your best in every interview, eventually you will get one of those senior jobs from a smart recruiter that will recognize your talent.

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