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

[northernladuk]

I agree with NLUK for the second time in 10 minutes

Awww wuv wu too

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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 ?

[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]

..and aren't a lone-wolf who's fallen behind on modern methodology of course.

ahem!

How long do you have left before retirement? Is this a career relaunch or a "just need one last job" for a handful of years?

Well I'm not quite 50 yet, so it could be viewed as a career relaunch I suppose - early retirement not looking as likely as it once was with the current war chest!

[TheDude]

and aren't a lone-wolf who's fallen behind on modern methodology of course.

I haven't worked with one of these for a while but back in the early days of Java I worked with a lot of guys who struggled to pick up new technologies and would resort to bluster and war stories about archaic systems they once worked with when challenged.

[d000hg]

It sounds like your best option could be the companies who have rendered your work obsolete - they'd know exactly what you have been doing with your time? Do you have any way to leverage your unique expertise and insider knowledge?

Or failing that list yourself as working as lead dev for the last 10 years on the CV. You only need to get to interview then you can be more open and any decent company will want you, if you have the skills... and aren't a lone-wolf who's fallen behind on modern methodology of course.

How long do you have left before retirement? Is this a career relaunch or a "just need one last job" for a handful of years?

[BlueSharp]

Same advise for anyone else. List and tailor your ten years experience what ever the job title your applying to then in the description drop in that you were also owner of the company. BF father was in a similar position, but the advise does not change to any other job application. Tailor it to the job your applying for. It might be easier to contract so you don't get the usual what's stopping you shipping out in a years time.

[mattster]

Is there still significant income to be made from the software you have been selling for the last ten years?

If not stick it on github and reference it on your CV.

Yeah, not quite ready to do that since it is still a primary source of income but the writing is on the wall. Hopefully even when it is no longer my primary income in the future it can bring in a few grand a month with minimal extra effort from me, for a few years at least.

[TheDude]

Definitely not, otherwise I'd probably still be in business. I'm just a dev really, 20 odd years of mostly finance C++ thru C# .NET now, mostly Windows.

Is there still significant income to be made from the software you have been selling for the last ten years?

If not stick it on github and reference it on your CV.

[mattster]

What skills have you actually got? Sales?

Definitely not, otherwise I'd probably still be in business. I'm just a dev really, 20 odd years of mostly finance C++ thru C# .NET now, mostly Windows.

[northernladuk]

Wait until you see a role you want and that you can do and then just list the relevant experience from what you've been doing for the last 10 years as your last role.

If you are going for a coding gig they won't be interested in the sales, marketing and other activities, only what you can do for them. You are only as good as your last role in contracting so the stuff before 10 years will be largely irrelevant but still need to make sure it's got a smatering of the keywords in the gig you are going for.

Let the role profile of what you are going for dictate how you write your CV rather than a generalist list that an agent won't bother reading.

[SueEllen]

What skills have you actually got? Sales?