Senior (Java) Software Engineer: How best to look for jobs?

giveth

So since I graduated from college over 6 years ago, I've been working for the same (Multinational Telecoms) company. I'm now looking to move on to something new. But as it has been over 6 years since I was job hunting (and that was as a graduate), I'm unsure of how best to look for software jobs.

I guess applying directly to companies is always a good thing to do.
But when it comes to job sites and recruitment agencies, are there some better than others for software?
Should I avoid agencies altogether (Do the advertised jobs even exist)?
Or are there some agencies who are good and specialize in software?

Thanks for your help.

srsly78

Use the "shotgun" approach, make sure your CV is up on all the major jobsites like monster, iprofile, jobserve etc. Your phone will start ringing. Best to diversify your skills, having just 1 language isn't good enough these days. 6 years and limited skillset doesn't make you senior btw.

Tip about monster: It seem recruiters see search results ordered by "most recently updated". So, every week just make a tiny insignificant edit and you will be bumped up to the top

trellheim

If yer any good you'll be snapped up fast, (genuine) senior Java is bloody difficult to find right now. if you can do design in ADF or Spring or whatever the flavour of the day is you'll add loads more to yer bottom line. Pump up the CV with all the good stuff. Lie a little bit.... it's expected.

giveth

Thanks.
I do have more languages/technologies than just java. Java is just my core language. The title of my current job is senior engineer which I got after being nominated and doing internal interviews so that's why I'm calling myself a senior engineer

Will get my cv up on those sites then. I presume it will be mostly agencies that look at cvs on those sites.

maglite

There are a lot of people looking for Java these days. If your any good you'll get a decent job.

Don't know where srsly78 is, If your good at Java, then your good at Java. I would view someone with 6 years exp in Java as experienced/senior

srsly78

maglite wrote: »

There are a lot of people looking for Java these days. If your any good you'll get a decent job.

Don't know where srsly78 is, If your good at Java, then your good at Java. I would view someone with 6 years exp in Java as experienced/senior

When you have 15 years experience you will understand. Java didn't exist when I started.

Giblet

srsly78 wrote: »

When you have 15 years experience you will understand. Java didn't exist when I started.

Your point is meaningless, it's about the quality of work, not the quantity. I was senior after 2 years because I knew more than most "seniors" who were there years. I would view someone with 6 years experience as being a senior or a slacker.

trellheim

I have 19 yrs in this IT business. Although Java didn't exist then its whats wanted now, that and Sharepoint :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: ffs.

irishguy

Create a profile on LinkedIn and wait for the job offers to roll in (Seriously). PS the company I am working for are mad hiring if your interested