I hadn’t realized the state of the union (in Texas, at least), but North Texas apparently never recovered from Y2K job bubble. Programmers flocked to this area to cash in on the Y2K scare. But when it was all said and done, we had a plethora of programmers and too few positions. There are computer geeks who have been unemployed for a year or more. The time comes when you learn a new or updated trade if nothing swings your way.
Seven years later, the situation doesn’t seem to have changed much. Database programming jobs do come available, but they’re descended upon by a pack of ravenous wolves. Of course, if it’s what you love, you try for each and every job. But if it’s not, you send your resume out, but you also come to the point when you have to branch out… learn something new, take a few courses, work part-time, etc.
If you have the inside track on a job opening for a COBOL programmer in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, contact me and I will only recommend the best people.