The Job Search Begins

Given we don’t currently have client work coming in, I’ve decided it’s time to start looking for traditional employment again.

I’m using Beeminder to track my job search activities—one for putting time into the search, one for submitting applications, and one for doing different actions related to the search, each action being worth some number of points:

Qualify a verified target = 1
Tailored application (CV adjusted + letter naming the role, actually submitted) = 3
Outreach (recruiter ping / intro ask / message to someone at a target) = 2
Follow-up sent = 1
Interview prep block, 30+ min = 2
Interview attended = 5

I’m using AI to tailor my resume to each job posting and to write the cover letter for each. Is that a cringe thing to do? I do feel some shame about it. I’ve been justifying it since the whole process feels quite artificial, and the required self-promotion is so painful for me. Also I do carefully read the resumes and cover letters to ensure everything is accurate. But feel free to tell me I’m still way off track for doing it this way.

I’ve never gotten a job through an interview process. The three more-or-less traditional jobs I’ve had to this point have all been acquired through personal connections with people at the company. I have done a few interviews with different companies in the past, but none of them resulted in offers.

So all that being said I’m not sure what to expect as far as the number of applications I’ll need to submit in order to land an offer. I understand job postings are now getting hundreds of applications since it’s so easy to automate now. I’m hoping the fact that I’m making sure I’m actually a good fit for each role I’m applying to will mean I won’t have to put in that many applications.

Currently I’m aiming to submit one application per day. I think I may increase that number, though. Again not sure what number of applications per day I should be aiming for.

I’m guessing I may need to get back on LeetCode and start studying for interviews. Probably beemind it, too. I think I used LeetCode for a little while when Amazon gave me an interview back when the big tech companies were recruiting like crazy. Or maybe I can find another way to study without needing to pay up for a LeetCode subscription.

The trip to Europe I mentioned previously is now quite a bit more uncertain. I’m aiming for a remote job or a job with relocation assistance to Sweden, so hopefully I’ll still be able to spend some time in Europe in some fashion. Remains to be seen what that will actually look like.

With the lack of client work I’ve been putting a lot more time into TaskRatchet. I’ve fixed bugs, improved uptime instrumentation, and added a Todoist integration. I’m hoping to keep up this velocity while searching for a job.