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Ask HN: Out of IT for 3 years. How to get back in after working for self?

12 points by anon321321323 ↗ HN
Skill set was C++ but also web tech such as React / Angular. Javascript. Current side projects are node/react/flutter.

I worked for myself. So I have no current experience. Ordinary employers seem to see this as red flag. No callbacks.

Are portfolios still a thing or should I go for non-profits and rebuild a network that way? Portfolios got me work back when I was contracting.

How would I transition back in? I'm in 40s.

12 comments

[ 4.6 ms ] story [ 35.8 ms ] thread
muzani
I had less trouble back when I was not working for a few years. Switching jobs is a yellow flag in itself. And often people want to hire someone yesterday, so they're not so willing to hire someone who needs a notice period.

Portfolios are still useful, but they don't get you past the resume screen, only the latter screening processes.

Web tech is in very high demand, so you should have little problem in an average company, at least something better than a non-profit.

killingtime74
Can you give more details? What area are you looking in? What experience level? Remote/in person? Do you have any networks?
anon321321323
I'm in Melbourne, Australia. Land of the lockdown. Currently building the obligatory todo list as a pure javascript web-based application and ios/android app for it using flutter. Probably do a React app as well to build up. I'm not a beginner but I'm rusty so I'm refreshing knowledge as I go.
el_dev_hell
Sup anon,

I'm from the same area and work in the same niche.

If you have passable React skills and any past experience, you should be employable now.

I wouldn't bother with the todo app. It's too generic on a resume to gauge anything relevant (since more tutorials are copy/paste and don't show any major problem solving).

Just start applying on Seek. There are tons of short term gigs that will take anyone. That's a great place to start.

Portfolios (i.e deployed personal projects) are huge here. This differs a lot from SV where they seem to have less bearing to get you in the door. The main point of note is that the projects need to be unique in some way.

anon321321323
Thanks. I'll finish off the apps but just put in for short contracts as you say. The "years of experience" thing is putting me off though.

The apps I'm building aren't from tutorials. They are solving my problems and those around me.

Mandatum
Take a short term contract or just start applying for gigs. If you've got a history as a dev, it's not something that evaporates because you haven't been doing it for a few years. Plenty of large companies will hire you if your historical references check out.

Same area. Different niche.

Reach out if you want to do a mock interview (or tbh you should just be interviewing with everyone to practice). Of the last few jobs I've had only about half had practical tests. If you take a contract it's unlikely they'll make you do one.

tiew9Vii
React in AU is the in demand software job. The market looks to be going crazy for React devs more than anything else. Start looking now before the borders open again and salaries go down.

Take a contract, when I was job hunting I was frequently seeing React as the highest paying/in demand roles available.

schwartzworld
Where are you based out of? React devs are in high demand. If you're Boston-based shoot me an email ian at schwartz.world
JSeymourATL
> Ordinary employers seem to see this as red flag.

Rather than looking for employers — avoid the standard HR trap.

Instead, Look for the guy WHO you can best help.

LinkedIn is useful here— sort individual profiles by market/Industry/title etc…

Companies with fewer than 50 people, usually have easier access to true senior decision-makers. Reach out directly for discovery conversation.

brudgers
Talk to people you know. The people you worked with. The people you worked for. And anyone who worked for you.

Also, contact the alumni organizations of any schools you attended.

Put your resume/CV on popular job boards and update your Linkedin so recruiters can find you.

Good luck.

codegeek
Look at smaller companies where your "worked for myself" is seen as a plus than a minus at say a larger/corporate company. Smaller company is not always same as startup btw where there is more risk. I run a small company and I could really use entrepreneurial people who couldn't quite do their own thing on their own but would fit in a team where they have plenty of autonomy and decision making capabilities considering they bring the relevant temperament/experience/talent/skills.