How do you find work?
jjguy: You need to find the thing that distinguishes you from your peers.  My story is undoubtedly different than yours, but I'll share parts; perhaps it can help you.I went to college on a military scholarship.  After four years of school, I spent 6 years in the military.  Three critical things came from those years:  contacts, credibility and experience.After a couple tours, the military's plans for my career and my own ideas didn't sync up.  I left and used a contact to land a nice job doing exactly what I wished.  I floated my resume around, but serious offers only came from those I knew.  I got other offers, but they were in a different class.I've been with the same organization for several years. It's awesome.  I get calls occasionally from those old contacts, asking if I'm ready to move on yet.  I'm not, but when I do, I'm unlikely to "hit the market."  I'll make a few calls, express some interest and find a home.I'll say this:  your technical skills alone will not land you the _awesome_ work.  There are plenty who (claim to) have the same skills; in the world we live in, it's very difficult to distinguish between us and charlatans without experience.  For me, the military provided the contacts and touch of reassurance a hiring manager needs to make a decision.You need to find your distinguisher. If you don't have one, make it.  The other comments here provide plenty of ideas how you can do so.