I interviewed at 17 companies before finding one that fit me. It's more of a persistence game than anything, and I began to realize that a lot of companies were

I interviewed at 17 companies before finding one that fit me. It's more of a persistence game than anything, and I began to realize that a lot of companies were just testing the waters, only willing to hire someone if they really blew them away (obviously this is hard to do under interview circumstances). Once I found a company that actually _needed_ me, the experience became a positive one - they went out of my way to make me feel comfortable. I wish there were a way for candidates to pre-screen companies, rather than the other way around. It's a waste of time on both parties if the company isn't actually in need of a new hire, but just dabbling in the option pool.