Randall, I have seen your posts here at the Ranch, and you definitely do not lack in knowledge/talent/skill.
So why are you finding it hard to get a job? I looked at your profile on the contacts page, and one thing that occurred to me is,
you should perhaps change your profile
I mean, switch to a sleek Italian frame or contacts from
Lenscrafters, shave all that shrubbery on your face, get a haircut, and get a neat business suit from
Men's Wearhouse, and similar improvements, until suddenly, you cannot be distinguished from the average faceless American, like the ones among the teeming masses tumbling out of Chicago's Union Station heading to work in downtown Chicago early in the morning.
Believe me - there are companies hiring even now. I myself changed my job in the post Sep 11 period - I was looking for about a month - it was tougher for me because I needed sponsorship. It should be relatively easier for citizens like you, and permanent residents. So just keep a positive attitude, and go for it. Be relentless - and don't be choosy - apply for just about any position. Don't just look at computerjobs.com/ dice.com/ monster.com. Search on Google with your skill keywords - find some meta-job search engines. Here's a good site:
BrilliantPeople.com. And, most important, look on subject websites - I am an iSeries (formerly AS/400) programmer - and I found my job on iseriesnetwork.com. It was never picked up by Google.
I also suggest you should hang out with other JavaRanchers in Oregon. You know who
[This message has been edited by Nanhesru Ningyake (edited October 25, 2001).]