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Subject:RE: Job Market in the USA From:Susan Gallagher <SGallagher -at- akonix -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 14 Aug 2001 11:18:48 -0700
> I am currently in the process of relocating back to the States...
>
> I know things are tough, but could any of you give me an idea
> of just how
> tough? ...
The job market in southern California is the worst I have ever
seen it, and I've been working in the software industry here
since 1983. I am pleased to announce that I have just started
as first writer at Akonix in San Diego (TaDaa! & Whew!). But I
had been out of work since the end of January with not even
a contract or temp position to sustain me. And I have those
API skills they say they're looking for!
All during Feb & March, I'd be in the middle of an interview
cycle and they'd pull the req and go into a hiring freeze.
While it seems like things are losening up a little bit, it
still isn't a pretty picture. And those that are hiring are
being parsimonious for the most part. Contracts that paid
between $60 & $80 /hr last year are paying $40/hr now and
you're lucky to get it.
What you see advertised on the internet isn't necessarily
the best or more realistic picture. I've called about a
lot of those jobs and many, especially from agencies, are
already filled and displayed there just to gather resumes.
Last year you'd find ~100 tw jobs to the 3 or 4 you find now.
Being mid-range is to your favor, however. There seem to me
a lot more mid-range positions than senior positions available --
either that or they're paying mid-range pay for senior skills.
--most places.
I think I just got the last good job in San Diego! ;-)
Susan W. Gallagher
Sr. Technical Writer
Akonix, Inc.
sgallagher -at- akonix -dot- com
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