Background: I'm a US citizen with 5+ years of Java backend experience, currently employed as a Senior Software Engineer on a defence contract. I'm actively relocating to Dublin on the Critical Skills Employment Permit and have been applying for about a month with zero responses.
I've tried portal applications (IrishJobs.ie, company portals), direct agency email outreach to Reperio and Sigmar, and LinkedIn messages to recruiters. Nothing has moved.
I discovered today that IrishJobs.ie geo-blocks US IP addresses — the Apply button doesn't appear without an Irish VPN. So some of my applications may not have gone through properly.
I have no idea if my CV is the problem, the relocation friction, the sponsorship requirement, or something else entirely. I've never had a human give me direct feedback on it.
CV attached. Tear it apart.
Specific questions:
Does anything immediately disqualify me from consideration?
Is the CSEP mention something I should lead with or bury?
Does my stack (Java, legacy modernisation) read as competitive for the Dublin market?