IT job search and current market

caff

caff

caff

Soldato
Joined
8 Feb 2004
Posts
3,823
Location
London
I took redundancy last year, and now I'm back hunting for a job.

I was in my last company for quite a while, so I am a bit out of touch with the best websites / strategies etc.

1. What are the best websites for job search these days? I'm using LinkedIn primarily but feel it's quite limited with companies advertising here.
2. What's the state of the market in your opinion, currently?
3. Is reaching out to connections on LinkedIn more fruitful? I have quite a lot of connections, so could do that.

Any tips from current & recent job searchers much appreciated, thanks.
 
caff said:
3. Is reaching out to connections on LinkedIn more fruitful? I have quite a lot of connections, so could do that.

Any tips from current & recent job searchers much appreciated, thanks.
Click to expand...
From my experience letting your previous colleagues who you have a good rapport with know that you are seeking work is always going to give you some leverage and can go a long way.
 
Subliminal Aura said:
@caff - What is your IT field ?
Click to expand...
Software development and DevOps - also handling production & run support.

I was a hybrid Product Manager/Engineering Manager in my last role, so I'm looking at those roles.

I enjoy the business analysis & architecture side more these days though.
 
caff said:
Software development and DevOps - also handling production & run support.

I was a hybrid Product Manager/Engineering Manager in my last role, so I'm looking at those roles.

I enjoy the business analysis & architecture side more these days though.
Click to expand...

Wow that's a complete mish mash of roles which for me as an interviewer would reveal your weakness and surface awareness of each of those business areas.
They are all distinct fields and require specific talent for each of those roles

I'm in a similar boat as you - Accepted a settlement August last year but don't have any desire to share my skills
DevOps Lead which as you're aware involves debugging and coding but that doesn't make me a software engineer - far from it

What have you been doing for the past 8 months ?
 
Last edited:
Jobserve website has 70+ roles featuring devops as a keyword inside a 15 mile radius of London. Good place to start.

Subliminal Aura said:
Wow that's a complete mish mash of roles which for me as an interviewer would reveal your weakness and surface awareness of each of those business areas.
Click to expand...

I don't understand what you are saying here. You would label him as already weak because he's done different roles?

Subliminal Aura said:
What have you been doing for the past 8 months ?
Click to expand...

Where did 8 months come from specifically?
 
Last edited:
Subliminal Aura said:
No, ever heard the expression - jack of all trades, master of none ?
Click to expand...

Or maybe he's highly adaptable, dynamic, a fast learner and can work well in a team, individually or as a lead.

Those roles are hardly a "complete mish mash". They are all closely aligned among IT roles. I feel you are exaggerating a little. By your logic, anyone who climbed the corporate ladder in any profession and has a CV showing changes between roles, is a master of no trade. You don't have to have been a Software Engineer for 10 years to get another role as a Software Engineer. Open your mind.
 
Oh and also - anyone who thinks they are a "master" of anything in their profession is kidding themselves.

I'm pretty happy being a jack of many trades. :)
 
Last edited:
My recent experience was that time spent on recruiters is time wasted - focus on direct applications, probably found via LinkedIn (yes there aren't many jobs posted and that's a true reflection of the lack of companies hiring).
 
Last edited:
Get yourself along to AWS in London, typically there's a lot going on striking up a convo may get some connections. A large number of the consultancy/development partners also attend.

Sorry to say a large number of AI based sites exist that swamp job applications with AI-rewritten CVs etc.

I got some interest over the last week - those staff contacting me, I've been prepping the CVs and personal statements specifically tailored but without using AI. Recruiters- you will probably never hear from them again, same with direct applications. I know some folks have submitted 450+ applications before they got a role.

I've taken a more tailored approach but also going through brushing up on skills and being active.
 
Last edited:
throwaway4372 said:
My recent experience was that time spent on recruiters is time wasted - focus on direct applications, probably found via LinkedIn (yes there aren't many jobs posted and that's a true reflection of the lack of companies hiring).
Click to expand...

Yep this. Though I did get my current job through one.

Most of them are time wasters and will reject you before you get to an interview if your CV isn't a 100% match. So you need to fudge it a bit to get through recruitment agencies. See what they are looking for and just do some research and blag it to get offered and interview.
 
Last edited:
baritonejohann said:
I love misappropriation of proverbs, especially when used counter to the point of the original.

"A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one" there fixed it.
Click to expand...
The ideal is to have one area of specialism you are very strong at, and a range of supporting skills and experience in related areas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom