I long-time contributor recently sent me this insight on his job search. He is located in Ohio and is in his 50s. I wonder if anyone else has noticed something similar. Feel free to chime in.
----------
I have a bot that is configured to provide me with technical job leads. Job quality has gone steadily downhill over the past decade.
In the latest list of 50 it sent me, it tested a new bottom. There were
37 sales jobs
11 phony jobs trying to sell for-fee 'executive placement career services'
2 actual technical jobs, both highly specific low-level low-paying
Here is a sample of the jobs it now considers 'technical' jobs, apparently because they are predominantly with technology-related companies, and the actual work involved:
Job title ............................................................ Actual Job
Director of Business Development .......................... sales
Business Development Coordinator ......................... sales
Client Program Manager ......................................... commission sales
Director of Operations ........................................... sales
Senior Engineer .................................................. sales
Executive Director .............................................. sales
VP of Engineering ............................................... sales
Entry Level Business Management ........................ commission sales
Estimator ......................................................... commission sales
Senior Marketing Manager .................................... commission sales
Property Manager .............................................. sales
Entry Level Management Training ........................... commission sales
Automotive Service Advisor ................................... commission sales
Lead Engineer .................................................... sales
Area Manager .................................................. sales
General Manager ............................................... sales
Sr. Operations Manager (Commercial) .................... sales
There was a time when we feared America was becoming a land of 'services', giving each other haircuts, cutting lawns and repairing appliances. In retrospect that looks pretty good. Turns out it is a lot worse than we feared: now we're all salesmen. Low-level, dead-end, straight-commission, gone-in-a-year salesmen.