Ask HN: How to get back in employment market after working on side projects?

The discussion centers on how to present years spent on independent projects when returning to paid work. Many commenters say those years should be described as apps, products, consulting, or self-employment rather than as “side projects,” and that the resume should show concrete work, stack choices, and outcomes. Several suggest using a portfolio, GitHub, or live demos, while others argue that short contract roles can help reestablish recent work history and make later applications easier.

Reading notes

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• Present the work as real projects or self-employment instead of minimizing it as side projects.
• Put the projects on the resume with details about what they were, what problem they addressed, and what technologies were used.
• Use a portfolio, GitHub, or running demos when the code or product is available.
• Consider consulting or short contract work as a bridge back into full-time employment.
• Some commenters say the key is to show recent work history, since that can reopen callbacks.
• Others note that employer reactions vary a lot, so the best framing depends on the role and company.
• For some applicants, an honest explanation of the gap and the reason for doing the projects is enough.
• Several comments argue that employers care more about proof of ability, fit, and recent experience than about the label “side projects”.