First rule of job hunting is that it's always easier to find a job when you have a job - so lesson learned there: don't quit your job and then go looking for another one. Second rule of job hunting is that you need to be able to demonstrate value. Your potential employer needs to know you will benefit him more than you will cost him. How can he determine that? One way is to look for credentials, your degrees, your experience with previous employers. Another is for them to actually see your work. That might mean taking a job at low pay for them to get a look at you. If you do that, you should have an agreement with the employer ahead of time that if your work is exceptional, then your salary will be increased to a certain amount by a certain date. The onus is not on an employer to give you a "fair shot" it's on you to demonstrate value.