Very tough. Need to have prestigious and very precise relevant direct experience in every facet of any role it seems. They won’t look at ability to learn anymore. Folks like me without degrees seem to be getting tossed without a second look even when experience directly aligns. I assume people can get whoever they want at nearly whatever price they want.

I’ve had many recruiters talk with me for 30 minutes to an hour and then go dark as they have maybe 3, 4 roles to fill and everything needs to be perfect.

Couldn’t have come at a worse time for me, as I had to take 2 (well prepared) years off for health reasons, thinking my experience which is still quite relevant would help me get back in. I’ve done a few consulting gigs but those have mostly dried up. It’s a state of constantly lowering expectations in terms of salary and role, and doing side projects as I can find the motivation.