Getting a proper job after 10 years working for myself - how to sell it?

[cojak]

If you have savings I really would look up updating your technology stack. Look into cloud and data management tech (coders, feel free to suggest stuff to mattster...)

Then code and upload to Github.

[mattster]

Thanks chaps - not quite as gloomy a response as I was predicting, which was more along the lines of "don't bother". Hopefully a strongish market will be a good time to jump back in, and I'll certainly be pretty flexible with respect to role and rate just to get the CV going again. It does look like there are some (not many) roles still about that fit my skillset very well.

Now to decide on something new to concentrate on to try and get the CV into the 21st century. As someone who has managed to avoid web tech for far too long I do get a bit overwhelmed by the profusion of different tech stacks out there. Any straightforward suggestions for a stack to get stuck into writing a small project on, ideally with reasonable future demand and, I suppose, something that leverages my .NET skilz ?

[SueEllen]

Since you designed and marketed your own software plus dealt with customers you are likely to have far more soft skills than you think. These would fit into more people orientated roles rather than just coding. It would be easier for you to pick up a certification in them and then using your networking skills to get a foot in the door.

[ladymuck]

I agree with NLUK for the second time in 10 minutes

Let the roles you want to apply for guide how you describe your work. You'll need to give a high level summary of what your company did to provide context but otherwise cherry pick from your skills to highlight those most relevant to what you're going for. If you can talk to the client / agent before putting in something formally and find out a bit more then you might tease out a few pointers where you could demonstrate extra value they might want but didn't know they needed.

[BlueSharp]

Thanks chaps - not quite as gloomy a response as I was predicting, which was more along the lines of "don't bother". Hopefully a strongish market will be a good time to jump back in, and I'll certainly be pretty flexible with respect to role and rate just to get the CV going again. It does look like there are some (not many) roles still about that fit my skillset very well.

Now to decide on something new to concentrate on to try and get the CV into the 21st century. As someone who has managed to avoid web tech for far too long I do get a bit overwhelmed by the profusion of different tech stacks out there. Any straightforward suggestions for a stack to get stuck into writing a small project on, ideally with reasonable future demand and, I suppose, something that leverages my .NET skilz ?

.net is still very much still in vogue so your already off to a good start. With the front end stuff, toy only need it if you go full stack plenty of roles that don't need front end skills.

But learning the basics of how HTML and Css works is always a good start to moving to full stack. The front end tech then gives tools to manipulate the HTML, CSS and integrate with the backend via APIs. Then really have a play with the different front end techs (vue.js and react.js are those in vogue at the moment) and pick one to focus on! Happy coding!

[northernladuk]

I agree with NLUK for the second time in 10 minutes

Awww wuv wu too