Job search is a b****
Its a vent post + request for ideas/guidance I’m a materials engineer curently in Texas. When my wife, who is an aspirational individual, found a job she really really liked in NYC we could not say no to it. As much as a long-distance relationship at this point in life is crazy, I didn’t want to hold her back. And since we dont have any kids yet I thought it’d be easier to follow her up north in a few months. So, she moved to NYC in Jan 2019. And SINCE THAT POINT ON, I’ve been looking for opportunities in/around NYC for more than a year now without any success. I’m not a techie/swe so I know a lot of the opportunites aren’t for me. But I’m the senior-most engineer where I currently work, I have 9 yrs of industry experience and 3 yrs exprience with leading engineering teams. In addition to the technical skills I have tons of experience with client-facing negotiations, new product development, quality engineering, technical sales, etc. Anyone in a similar situation now or in the past here that came on top of this? What should I be doing more of? I’m very active on Linkedin and its mostly pointless as most recruiters never get back. Some of the rejections could be because I’m on an H1 visa but surely thats not been the defining case since so many blinders here hop jobs on visa quite easily. current tc:150k YOE:9
Have you thought about switching careers? Aka trying to do software engineering instead? Over a year without your wife is a fucked up situation. In know you're probably thinking that"but I'm already a senior in my industry". You'll be able to climb that ladder quickly... And your TC in software is much higher.
I have... but did not pursue it since I heard career switches are frowned upon by USCIS when your new employer files visa transfer
Tbh the NYC tech market is saturated. My friend who currently is an accountant wants to move into tech
Hey man if you’ve been trying for more than a year without success, you need to stop and reevaluate your approach to this
This. Something is off, either your expectations, resume, targeting, attitude or something. Check your approach
I hear you both. I don’t typically play the numbers game where you apply for 10 and get atleast one. I review the posting and tailor the resume based on my skills and requirements. This takes time so I don’t get through more than 4-5 postings in a day. But if re-evaluation means getting in as many applications as I can, I’m down for that too. Its not my preference but..
I wanted to comment because my husband is in the same position. I left New York to move to Seattle in June 2019 and he has been searching for a job since. It’s been brutal and hardly any interviews. Lately I’ve been also applying for him in hopes of we both do it we double the chances. Overall though I wish I never took the job as my relationship is more important. Now we are in both coasts and it sucks. We have tried LinkedIn, reaching out to anyone we could think of, having a resume and career coach, etc..
Truest wishes your way.. I hired a resume coach, career coach the whole shabang and they were a few hopeful times in there but the lack of responses is a lot more prominent
Why not try aerospace companies around CT? I can refer to collins aerospace in Windsor locks, CT if you see anything interesting
I’m currently trying one in Lockheed (north haven) through a friend but haven’t got any responses. You’re kind enough to offer a reference and I appreciate it. don’t some of these government-affiliates need applicants to be citizens?
If the role calls for a security clearance, than yes. Northrop and Lockheed tend to be mostly gov’t programs which need security clearance. There are lots of aero that are commercial on east coast (philly, CT, Virginia, etc).. try suppliers like Moog, Amphenol, etc. you shouldn’t have trouble finding a job with these companies as it’s impossible to find experienced mid level engineers
Maybe try project or program management and eventually switch to tech? Unfortunately your domain is very specific. I hope you find a good gig.
H1 could indeed be the reason! There's an excess cost and paper work that they wrong want to do unless the person is invaluable to them. Only much in demand techies like SWEs have the luxury of having companies jump thru hoops for them with the H1
What address do you have on your LinkedIn or Indeed profiles, or resume? Ny or Tx?
I had TX for a while. Then switched it to the wife’s address around fall time
Did you see any change in hits or bites? Having a local address helps in starting the convos but gets tricky once yuh ou get to the onsite portion.