Damn, that seems like an industry that should still be doing ok. Is that the first round of layoffs at your company or have there been multiple?
It is. I'm kind of in a unique scenario. Since graduating, I worked at my father's accounting firm. For the first few years I was primarily the sys admin. Programming was always my passion, so after about 2-3 years I began developing several applications for the staff of about 25. Later, we began offering our development service to clients & I wrote various systems that still run their day to day operations.
We had problems with our largest accounting client, so we ended up passing on their work. We figured we'd build up more business without them, but didn't need most of the staff. That was right before the economy tanked.
2 years later, the work dried up & I'm wasn't going to stay on my dad's payroll for nothing, so I told him to lay me off. At the time we were hoping it was temporary... a client I was supposed to do a lot of work for ran into cash flow problems because of the economy, and needed to delay a project until January-February.
Anyway, my impression now is that companies see my work history as "working for daddy" and it turns them off. I understand it to a point... most people think the job would be easy, but that really wasn't the case. It's hard to sell yourself as experienced when you've worked for an accounting firm instead of a software development company, and never on a team. I'm selling myself as a "junior" developer, believing that the cream always rises to the top & my work will speak for itself.
I'd take a pay cut, but I need to get my foot in the door. Problem is that most "junior developers" are right out of college, and don't need to make what I need to pay my bills. I'd need to make at least 50k just to stay afloat. With the calls I've received, interviewers are telling me they are being inundated with applications.
I loved working for my dad, but looking back if I had gone straight to another company out of college & now with 10 years "experience", I feel I'd be in a better position. That's life.. but it'll work out.
