[quote=anxvariety]I’d guess I’ve gone on 8 interviews and gotten 7 jobs, that is until lately.
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There’s your problem right there !
I am a contract programmer and write applications for engineers. (i.e. I am a nerd amongst nerds.)
I have not actually interviewed for a position in about 8 years and have never been asked for a code sample. I’d recommend you go back to your old bosses and ask them if they know people who know people. It’s the best way. Make your reputation preceede you.
Also, if your old bosses don’t have any leads, ask them if they hire people out of any small contract houses who deal only with quality individuals, and have them introduce you to those contract houses.
Going the “retail” route – i.e. Monster, Craigslist, Want-ads – is a major pain.
Go “wholesale.” and get introduced directly to hiring managers by associates who can recommend you and you’ll find that you have no competitors.
If you don’t have associates who can recommend you, you aren’t in the top 20%.
