> Perhaps my perspective is a bit colored, as I'm far enough along in my career that I can be choosy about which companies I invest time in. I only talk with a dozen or fewer companies in each job search, and so I won't do a 4-hour homework assignment unless I'm already interested in working for you.
Interesting. I've found the opposite. The farther I get in my career (and the older I get--not going to say the "A" word), the more difficult it is to get through the interview gauntlet. Companies looking to fill Junior "5th engineer from the left" roles tend to be fine with a warm body and a brain. Companies looking for super-senior-staff engineers, engineering managers or even more senior folks are extremely picky and probably reject almost everyone they meet. Even when I'm not actively looking for work, I try to answer every recruiter E-mail try to reach out to 1-2 companies a week just to keep irons hot and be able to act on the off chance that something spectacular pops up.
The older you get the MORE shoe rubber you need to go through pounding pavement.
Interesting. I've found the opposite. The farther I get in my career (and the older I get--not going to say the "A" word), the more difficult it is to get through the interview gauntlet. Companies looking to fill Junior "5th engineer from the left" roles tend to be fine with a warm body and a brain. Companies looking for super-senior-staff engineers, engineering managers or even more senior folks are extremely picky and probably reject almost everyone they meet. Even when I'm not actively looking for work, I try to answer every recruiter E-mail try to reach out to 1-2 companies a week just to keep irons hot and be able to act on the off chance that something spectacular pops up.
The older you get the MORE shoe rubber you need to go through pounding pavement.