How does a Jr. to Mid-Level programmer find work?
anonjon: Honestly, it helps to know someone who is looking to hire.Persistence/experience/credentials are important, but without a personal connection the job market (in any profession) is a crap-shoot.My girlfriend had a similar situation (she's not an engineer), she finally managed to get a job by doing  an internship, all the while applying to a ton of jobs. (Of course all of them were looking for 5+ years experience and a masters).She was rejected a lot and it was demoralizing for her.But what paid off were the personal connections that she made during the internship and interviews (she made a good name for herself), eventually one of her acquaintances gave a colleague her resume (who then offered a job).I'm not really a people person, so I know that this can be a difficult road for us introverted folk, but I think the best thing to think about is 'where can I meet people who would be looking to hire someone like me'.Then go to those places, meet those people, and get them on your 'team'. Eventually you are a proven commodity and are able to get something.