I've been unemployed since Cisco showed me the door in the last round and I'm starting to question everything. I see job postings everywhere, but I'm not sure any of them are real. I apply to five or six a day. I've done this for months. I've gotten maybe a handful of responses, all rejections. And every rejection is the same generic form letter. No feedback, no explanation, nothing that could help me improve. Just sorry, moving on with other candidates. If they're not actually hiring, just tell us. If I'm doing something wrong, tell me what it is. The silence and the mystery are making me crazy.
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One of the lucky ones who got the package, took the money and ran. Life could not be better. Wishing those that want to GTFO, to indeed be given the $ and then GTFO of this Cult of Woe.
Cisco showed me the door
Lucky ba----d, we all want to get the package. Enjoy life outside Cisco.
I actually saw something online, I can't recall the details exactly, but HR does in fact post fake jobs. I think its like to get recruiting data, or fake company growth or something. It is a real strategy they employ. Have you considered switching fields? I am because I can't stand the fakeness anymore.
add things your co workers worked on as your own and learn about them to answer any questions.
Add things only Google Distinguished Engineers work on as your own and consult AI how to answer any questions.
add things your co workers worked on as your own and learn about them to answer any questions.
That's why no one will ever hire cisconians again.
The jobs aren’t fake, your talents are.
no one is giving you feedback at the application stage. that just has never been a thing and it's not a recent phenomena.
Time to up-skill.
@a5 great post and I agree with all of it except for the very last part...that you will find a job. We have a big surplus of tech jobseekers and it will take time for a lot of them to leave the industry.
Companies are absolutely hiring. I had two offers after getting let go recently. Your skills could be weak hence no call backs.
This was my experience from years ago but much of it still applies:
What I’ve Learned in My Job Search in Silicon Valley in 2011-12
- Looking for a job in today’s market is the most humbling experience for any age group, but particularly for those over 40!
- Age discrimination is alive and well!
- File for unemployment benefits immediately; every little bit helps.
- The competition is fierce: younger, cheaper, better educated & in large numbers.
- LinkedIn is the most vital tool in the job market today. Network, network, network!
- A properly formatted and strategically worded resume is key to your success. Getting your resume professionally critiqued is valuable. If your resume says anything like “more than 20 years’ experience” (like mine did) – ELIMINATE IT! You MUST make yourself look younger on paper in order to get the employer remotely interested in you.
- Don’t let your career coach tell you the ‘only way’ to get a job is to know someone at the company you’re applying to. It is the best way but not the only way. Job boards are accurate and up-to-date.
- Among the best job boards is SimplyHired.com. It is supposed to comprise all job boards. Craigslist is independent. Speaking of Craigslist…
- Craigslist ads are largely written by job shop recruiters. They entice you into their offices to look you over (literally, from head to toe), but then tell you “we really don’t have anything right now”. They will also tell you what you want to hear (“I’ll have you working in no time!”). I met 12 recruiters and none of them presented me with any job opportunities. Overall, working with job shop recruiters was a complete waste of time.
- Job Fairs proved fruitless.
- You really know who your friends are when you’re looking for a job.
- The best paying jobs are in Palo Alto, Menlo Park & San Francisco.
- There are tons of start-up companies. Their employees are primarily in their 20s.
- Being interviewed by a 20-something will make you feel old.
- Experience is no longer as important as up-to-date skills!
- Company recruiters will drop the ball after telling you “you’re a perfect fit” and you’ll never hear from them again. Similarly, they don’t follow-through on getting back to you when they say they will, and once they’ve decided not to hire you, they will not reply to your follow-up inquiries. My message to them: CLOSE THE LOOP, PEOPLE!!
- You will get discouraged.
- Looking for a job is a lot of work; it takes dedication & tenacity. Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up!
- Never give up! You WILL find a job!