The Specialist?

Still looking. Things haven't moved. One of the things that I get from talking to the agencies I trust (well up to a point) is that the skills that used to benefit me, are now actually a disadvantage. People don't want generalists in IT. They want specialists.

A generalist? Er? Well that's a good question, I suppose the unkind way to describe it s "jack of all trades, master of none"  Really though (without using terms like "helicopter view" or other phrases from the Management Bullshit Thesaurus) is that I see everything. I understand everything - at a level higher than the client, but less than a specialist. Unlike a specialist though, I see how all the specialisms fit together and how they shape the "whole" (or "hole" if you prefer. And yes it does sound like I'm talking out of it).

The majority of the jobs I see are aimed at specialists. Some I've a good chunk of what they ask for. Now given that I'm working on the assumption that the worst a potential employer can say is "no" I'll stick my CV in anyway, So far, at least, the results have been predictable. (Or rather I assume "predictable" as most of the companies who advertise online can't quite stretch to an automated acknowledgement receipt, let alone an email saying "cheers for applying but piss off". So if I haven't heard in a day or so I figure it as another another rejection. I did get one nice response from an agency saying (in words to the effect of) "stop applying for jobs with us. We don't want you. Ever". I'll reveal the name of the shower of shit responsible for this gem once I'm happily re-employed) So what to do?  Keep plugging away. I've considered doing a couple of courses in an effort to add some shine to the CV, but I've been strongly advised against this (wear sunscreen), which has dampened my enthusiasm for spending the couple of grand (I don't have) on the course I planned to do. 

So I'm left  to just get on with it. No choice really. But it is disheartening when the only opportunity the Jobcentre could conjure up today was one 60 miles away (in Omagh), for a temporary, part time IT support job, requiring fluency in Mandarin.

Like I said. "Specialist"