@DaEagle said:2) Keep searching. I don't know what you're experience level is, but there are companies out there that do operate in a professional manner. But be prepared to move. Also be prepared to actively search for the organisation that meets your match. Don't wait for them to contact you. The best organisations are hiring 365 days a year. They will hire if the right talent shows up at their door, but often they don't advertise. Remember that you're good enough for any organisation. Have the confidence to be able to say that. If you think Google, Apple, Microsoft or {insert name here} are the best Software Engineering firms out there, apply! My suggestion is to make sure you have done step 1) first. Chances are, you won't get it 100% right. There is no 100% right and this stuff is really hard to even get good, let alone perfefct. Once you've accomplished that, you're ready for step 2) where you can learn from people who really do know what they're doing. You'll be able to take what you lean't in step 1 and be able to better contribute to a larger more professional organisation.I've thought about what you said and I'm thinking you gave me some very very good advice. Thank you, it's really appreciated. I thought about what you said a little more and came to the conclusion that good companies probably don't place ads to recruit people. They'll go with word of mouth or with headhunters and recruiting firms who don't go around calling strangers and instead really try to 'find that gem'. The only alternative to being recruited like that would be to contact them directly indeed. I think I'm going to take a look at the companies I'd really like to work for instead of looking at ads. @Zagyg said:If you have such comparative enthusiasm, clarity of thought, professionalism and technical excellence, instead of working to make someone else rich, why don't you go into business yourself and show them how it's done properly?I have been thinking about this. I mean it. In fact it was the only answer I could come up with. It seems so "all or nothing" though. I'd have much more work, I'd be a lonely freelancer without a team. I don't have the funds to hire people and even if I did after a while I don't think I'd put them on the same projects as me. It would be an adventure that I feel would not be worth the bargain. I don't really see how it would solve my problem either: I'd be working on projects that could suddenly be cancelled because my contractor was being inadequate.Also, I'm not saying I'm all those things you say, I'm saying that I try to be those things actively, I work towards enthusiasm, clarity of thought, professionalism and technical excellence. I can't say that of the people I mentioned in the first post. It feels to me like these people have given up on those things Thanks for the good comments so far.