I have carefully removed my usual signature from this post, which identifies where I work at present. My employer knows I'm looking for work, but I think they would rather not advertise that to the world for sundry reasons.

I'm going to need a new job soon. My criteria are, in descending order of importance:

• Match my current skill set. Not that I would be adverse to learning something new, but I figure I'll get paid better for doing something I already know how to do. Thus, "Perl, SQL (PostgreSQL), Linux (or other Unix-like O/S)" are my buzzwords.
• Midwestern location, ideally somewhere between Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit. I have a son entering college (MSU, go Spartans) this fall, an ailing mother, and aging in-laws in this area; I am really not at a point in life where I can fly back to Michigan on a regular basis.
• No more pay cuts! My wages have slid during the last 8 years, mostly by my taking jobs with sinking companies or start-ups. I've seen job listings that were $10K below what I would consider a minimum salary, and even that's $20K below what I was making a year ago. (I am under a 60% pay cut right now, so you can see why I'm looking for work.)

Now ... I hardly expect my fellow monks to offer me a job based on this rant. What I'm hoping to find is a few leads on technical recruiters who specialize in Perl/Unix/Open Source and my selected area. If you have such leads, email me at "jeff dot boes at gmail dot com"; you will have my undying gratitude if such a lead works out for me.

And yes, I know of Monster.com, jobs.perl.org, Guru.com, WorkZoo.com, and Rentacoder. I have been looking since May 2004 to find a job that doesn't involve relocation from SW Michigan, and since May 2005 in my wider area described above.