I feel that being trained as a software developer is not enough to find a good job. You have to seriously train in job finding. How to write your CV, where to find listings, to which position to apply, what questions are asked on interviews for the positions you are interested in, what to tell on a interview, what not to tell.
I've changed my job 3 years ago after a long time with a company. I was scared about the process, but after some preparation and a few interviews I began to do well. I kind of knew what I will be asked and replied to interviewers what they wanted to know. After 2 years I changed my job again and it was easy. Now, I am at it again and I doesn't seem too difficult. I do better than many engineers. Probably I am not a better developer than them, but I am better prepared for the interviews. Even the way you talk and how you project your confidence matters. If you "read" the guy doing the interview, tell a joke that he will appreciate, talk about something that you think he will approve, will win you bonus points. Being pleasant, Mr Nice Guy, will help because interviewers are people and they want to have good team mates who they will have a great time working with. This might even be more important than engineering excellence.
I agree that there are factors unrelated to ability to fulfill the role that increase the probability that a person is hired. That is simply a failure that some are more willing and or able to take advantage of. A good process evaluates ability to fill the role.
I feel that being trained as a software developer is not enough to find a good job. You have to seriously train in job finding. How to write your CV, where to find listings, to which position to apply, what questions are asked on interviews for the positions you are interested in, what to tell on a interview, what not to tell.
I've changed my job 3 years ago after a long time with a company. I was scared about the process, but after some preparation and a few interviews I began to do well. I kind of knew what I will be asked and replied to interviewers what they wanted to know. After 2 years I changed my job again and it was easy. Now, I am at it again and I doesn't seem too difficult. I do better than many engineers. Probably I am not a better developer than them, but I am better prepared for the interviews. Even the way you talk and how you project your confidence matters. If you "read" the guy doing the interview, tell a joke that he will appreciate, talk about something that you think he will approve, will win you bonus points. Being pleasant, Mr Nice Guy, will help because interviewers are people and they want to have good team mates who they will have a great time working with. This might even be more important than engineering excellence.