> I'm sick of spending my days watching TED & Academic Earth lectures. Then don't do that. Don't even mention it; nothing has the stink of "mom's basement" le

> I'm sick of spending my days watching TED & Academic Earth lectures. Then don't do that. Don't even mention it; nothing has the stink of "mom's basement" level failure than a sentence like that. TED talks and AE are for having something literate to talk about when you have a job, not what's going to get you a job. Spend that time networking. Get out to every professional networking event in your field and make some personal, one-on-one relationships. Volunteer to present at networking events and use former TED time to put together polished and professional presentations; most groups are desperate for someone new to talk about something different. Try to get on an panel where you feel you can hold your own. People will remember you. If you've really got extra time on your hands, consider getting involved in a group activity oriented charity. Don't know how it is where you are, but I have never done a local Junior Achievement or Habitat for Humanity event where I didn't meet a couple of new, good-to-know executives (including the CEO of my current company). > I really want to be with a young company that I can take responsibility How's that working out for you? Get a job, any job. Be good at it, even if it's not what you want. Build a reputation as someone a company wants to hire no matter what the field. A buddy of mine spent his year in the "can't get a job for love or money" wilderness doing shift work on the floor at Home Depot. He got back in the saddle because he interviewed with a hiring manager who was also a home improvement nut. They hit it off over "how to plumb a new door", and he was back to coding. > this in fact an entry level position Tailor your resume to the job your applying for, not the one you want. If it's entry level, don't try to dog pile on your accomplishments. Strip it down so that the "what you've done" matches "what they want" as closely as possible. This means leaving things out you may be very proud of. Prove you're suited for moving up after you get the job.