i have a probably unusual habit: i'm applying for jobs as programmer at least once a year. it 's not that i don't have a job, or that i don't like what i do, but since i am self employed and running my own company i have the feeling that i am coming out of touch of what the current job market is like, and so i started to apply for jobs at different companies once in a while. just to keep in mind how this is like and for the fun of it. i think this is also a good training should i need to be employed again in the near future: as 'ceo' of your own company, you tend to become a bit arrogant and tend to get an exaggerated opinion of yourself. doing job interviews helps you to keep down to reality a bit.