I&#x27;d go for a few agency jobs for a 2-6 month stint, be nice to people and spend your time working with them not alongside them and gain some reputation. After a couple of positions, return work is usually possible. Then general staff turnover in tech companies will propagate your reputation as well. The first 2 years is the most difficult.<p>I&#x27;m going to add this as well: never work hard. Work out how not to work hard. Life is about what you do when you&#x27;re not working for me at least.