Have you tried posting on the monthly Who Wants To Be Hired threads? What kind of industry experience do you have?
I had a similar experience with a toxic, sociopathic CEO from a previous job leading to at least one known instance where an interview process was going along just fine and got cut short after contacting that person. At first I was very worried that, given the highly niche aspect of my work, I would have trouble remaining in that part of the industry.
So I switched tactics, and that CEO has become the first previous boss I will willingly trash talk. I get it out of the way immediately and then it's a non-issue. And then I get to use the reaction as a litmus test for whether the culture will fit. Just make sure not to come across like a jerk.
I have not posted there- perhaps I shall. I have 3 years of experience in defense software doing C/C++ and Perl. I'm not a coding superstar or genius but I am genuinely passionate and grew up with a Linux family PC in the 90s. The trouble is that the work in defense was so monotonous that I learned practically nothing. The sensitive nature of the work also means that I cannot talk about it very much in interviews. I'm going to borrow your tactic of not being shy about previous negative experiences with managers. Thanks
As a person who formerly worked in both defense and other classified environments, I definitely empathize with what you are saying regarding not being able to share much about your previous experiences. Best thing I can recommend is to spend some time building a public portfolio, even if itβs doing simple stuff.
It will benefit you in multiple ways, not the least of which includes honing/practicing your skills, learning some new technologies, and having something to show for it.
I had a similar experience with a toxic, sociopathic CEO from a previous job leading to at least one known instance where an interview process was going along just fine and got cut short after contacting that person. At first I was very worried that, given the highly niche aspect of my work, I would have trouble remaining in that part of the industry.
So I switched tactics, and that CEO has become the first previous boss I will willingly trash talk. I get it out of the way immediately and then it's a non-issue. And then I get to use the reaction as a litmus test for whether the culture will fit. Just make sure not to come across like a jerk.