I'd hope they wouldn't submit a job app for me.

I'd hope they connect me with the right people.

From what I remember people need tech work done, not computers.

I guess I need to see that movie. Even as an American apparently I am missing like 95% of Western culture.

And I thought this was North America!

Yup, I realize that's the way it's typically done. That's why I'm not playing that game.

I've already been screwed over. I've already had companies galore get really excited about hiring me, drag me through 4 hours of interviews, only to say I "wasn't a good fit." Not just once, not just twice, but hundreds of times.

Ideally the employer wouldn't be paying for the transaction. That's why I'm specifically having reverse recruiters compete against each other.

I've dealt with enough crap over the past decade I'm tired of being overlooked. It's time people took me seriously. How else can I out-build unethical tech if I'm not making money?

It all boils down to this.

Money = value.

The more money you pour into something the greater ROI (return on investment) you'll get.

In an employer/opportunity-seeker relationship if the employer is the one paying they're getting a better ROI.

I've asked for accommodations. Even offered ideas for accomodations. Not a single company has been willing to budge.

I've also found companies that have unpaid labor (I.e. take home assignments) as part of their process brush off any interest in truly helping the team. After any interview, no matter how I'm treated, I always try to follow up with the team months down the line to see if the hire they went with wed helping them, and if they had any issues and needed a hand I'd be there to help them.

I still do this. I'll occasionally check in with teams that rejected me because I "wasn't a good fit." Without exception, any company that had an inflexible hiring process doesn't respond to my check ins (and it's not "oh I'm way too busy?" because I'll see a string of "too busy" social media posts like memes days afterward).

Keep in mind this isn't just a weekend event where I've experienced this. I've interacted with HUNDREDS of companies. My experience is my experience.

It all boils down to this: if a company can't see that I don't have their success in mind, they never will. I need to just keep searching until I find my own tribe. I've gotten very good at getting a "gut feeling" early when a company doesn't value what I can provide for them.

My tribe is out there. I just need to keep looking.

Definitely.

Strangely getting a lot of negative comments. You'd think a story of someone who's been thru hell and keeps trucking and thinking creatively to find a way out would be inspriational. I appreciate the comment.

If the employer pays, fine. I don't give a damn. I'm just doubling my chances. If the employers are crap the recruiter has an incentive to look for new employers outside my network.

I basically have my own marketing agency. +1 for self-respect.

Take home assessments I've taken: at least 20 Jobs I've landed after taking an assesment: 0 Jobs I've landed from companies that don't have an assesment: at least 12.

Should I ignore the data?

In additon, I have a processing disorder which causes anxiety on tests. In school even after spending weeks studying I always got D's on test in school despite getting A's on papers and projects. Part of what I'm doing is taking back power from companies and individuals that don't understand neurdivergent individuals and feel that my declination of assessments is somehow a moral failing and an indication that I don't care about a company's success.

Trust me. I've been down that "just shut up and take the test" approach. It's only ended up with emotional abuse I'm just now overcoming and conquering.

Yup, but I'm switching things up. (just check my casual conversations post I just posted).

Have you tried avocado mayo? There's a brand that has a "chili lime" flavor that's de. li. cious! It's spendier than regular mayo, but I love it a lot more (and it's healthier).

Couldn't think of another address, sorry.

Yeah, I know, seriously... quietly slips 2 tickets back into pants pocket

And I thought this was America!

I've often tried to foster the idea with others of starting a programmer's union. What do folks think of that?

Like, just imagine of even 1% of FAANG workers unionized.

Good on you for quitting.

I would HIGHLY advise though, ensuring you have another job lined up before quitting. Lined up as in, you have the paperwork signed. It's common these days to go months without any work. I've been at it for a few years myself, and I'm a tech lead.

News headline, October 2078

Google finds users are covering their ears and closing their eyes; releases nanobots to force eyes open and lock hands behind back.

I once worked as a direct support specialist to support people with mental illness in the community. A hard job because a lot of clients would test how "loyal" you are to them (spoiler alert: I'm gonna support you 'til the end!)

I was just starting out and learning the ropes from these 2 people that had been helping out clients for a while. Some of the things they were saying they did with clients didn't seem to add up (not anything too alarming, but situations where I thought the client would need support and the DSS decided not to assist). But I was still learning so I didn't press the matter or report them.

But then after about a month I found I was the only DSS left. Turns out the 2 people I was learning from were taking part in all sorts of horrible abuse with the clients. Stuff like turning on the car's AC and radio full blast because it's "their car" (the client had paranoid schizophrenia, PTSD, and major trust issues before this happened).

So if you ever have family or friends who are working with DSS's, go ahead and let them help, but be mindful of anything that sounds "off." Talk to the organization about it. The right DSS will be glad you investigated.

Thankfully, my supervisor hired on 2 new DSS's who were absolute legends and whom I was able to learn from.

Distract yourself from eating.

What I mean is: while I was making bank in tech I was on the road to getting married and establish myself as a tech expert, which means dating, networking, getting to know people (I'm an introvert, so it's rough). I'd spend time on a date with people and not necessarily starve myself, but food took a back seat to taking a walk, starting a chat, just getting to know people. As someone who has always battled his weight I was finally starting to look like I WANTED to look.

But then when I hit a financial snag (a string of bad clients/employers--would NOT recommend this career move) I was basically financially constrained to my house. No going out, not even to a coffee shop. Without the privilege of going out and finding friends/love/acceptance can you guess how I have to find comfort? You guessed it! Even though I stay active I've found it's very hard to keep weight down.

I only say this to make the point: if you can afford it, distract yourself from food.

I do all my photo editing on the command line.

_{(kidding, of course)}