So, in 1999, whilst working as an expat in the beautiful, but depressingly rainy German town named Düsseldorf, I was contacted by a Swiss headhunter regarding a System Administrator's job at a huge Swiss company.
The problem then, was the need for computer-related specialists had exploded due to the then Dotcom Boom. I hold a Master in Business Informatics which I had to produce. The Swiss administration had to verify there was no unemployed Swiss specialist who would then had the priority to the position I was offered.
I always had a really neat opinion about Switzerland. Being born in neighboring France, where just wearing a French flag is seen as being extreme right, I will always love how Swiss people are proud of their own flag. Of course, I did not always feel welcome wherever I went, that's the price of being a come-from-away with a family name sounding like refugees from the recent Yugoslavian war. But I followed the rule and always found my pleasure whenever I could, and eventually gladly shared it with locals.
In 2016, after 5 years of application, I obtained my most prized "diploma": the Red Pass. I once heard some younger colleague telling me how I really was not a Swiss. I just answered him I am just Swiss enough to willingly take a gun and shoot at French soldiers, should they decide to invade my home. Even the wokest youngsters cannot argue with this.
In 2024, it looks like the Swiss educational system adapted its cursus and there now are enough locals being able to occupy the positions such as mine. Having these young students learning beside us is really nice and gratifying.
So, now, when I hear about how Musk's stance about immigration is opposed to America first, I just pray it's a contingency measure and the American system is willing to improve itself until the need for foreign help is down. I also want people to understand that sometimes, people immigrate because they LOVE WHO you are and HOW GREAT your country is.
Let us not be too hasty with the strategy currently being discussed.
I am fortunately employed but have been looking for the better part of a year in IT.
One of the new things I've noticed in the job hunt is many employers have a list of requirements that is almost impossible to fill completely and/or they are hiring for a job with one description, but the requirements are for a different position that should pay a lot more.
I'm historically an admin, also done Ops and Dev Ops. Most of the positions now with those titles are wanting a full-blown developer in these positions - but they sure as hell aren't paying developer salaries.
I've thought this was due to a tightening market, but now I can't help wonder if these requirements are designed to be impossible to fill honestly and can only be met by someone who is faking their qualifications and willing to take the lower salaries being offered - i.e. H1Bs.
There sure as hell isn't any shortage of experienced tech workers looking for work. Just go on the forums of any job board - people have been out of work for months or years sending out hundreds or thousands of resumes only to get a handful of first interviews and then be ghosted. I've been somewhat selective in my applications, only applying for jobs that I 100% qualify for and with other personal caveats, and yet I haven't received anything beyond an automated receipt response from a single employer - I have yet to even get a rejection letter.
Something out of the norm is going on in the job market, at least in tech but I suspect it is more widespread. H1Bs would explain it, but I guess that isn't necessarily definitive.
Regarding the "requirements being impossible to fill," it's to allow them to reject anyone without being sued. It gives them discretion to hire who they want, which otherwise is difficult because of the large quantity of people who apply because they want to sue for discrimination. It's stupid, but there it is.