If you're reasonably good at design, build something that looks like a legit startup. Add a fake careers page, a fake about page and a fake teams page. Buy a domain for $10. Setup an email account (ie adrian@superstartup.co). Create a fake email signature.
Put that on your CV to close the gap and make sure you're ROCK SOLID on the story. Build the webapp using the technologies that come up the most in your job search. Don't sell yourself as a "junior". Speak confidently about your "last gig".
Be good at the phone interview. This is what will get you to the next round (ie, the technical interview). If you can pass the tech round, you're good.
Also, apply to jobs you don't necessarily feel will be a good fit just to get the hang of it. That way, you'll be prepared when the right opportunity comes.
Most companies will highly likely not run checks, and if they do, well who cares.
I had built two failed startups before and added them to my CV but made the mistake of calling myself "CTO". Don't do that: You worked at $fake_company for $duration doing $stuff.
I'm telling you this because most of the companies I interviewed with genuinely believed that my startups were legit companies. They would ask such questions as "Oh, are you still working at X ?". This is when I realised the power of perception.
Keep your head up, It's not going to be easy, but in the end you'll make it.
If you're reasonably good at design, build something that looks like a legit startup. Add a fake careers page, a fake about page and a fake teams page. Buy a domain for $10. Setup an email account (ie adrian@superstartup.co). Create a fake email signature.
Put that on your CV to close the gap and make sure you're ROCK SOLID on the story. Build the webapp using the technologies that come up the most in your job search. Don't sell yourself as a "junior". Speak confidently about your "last gig".
Be good at the phone interview. This is what will get you to the next round (ie, the technical interview). If you can pass the tech round, you're good.
Also, apply to jobs you don't necessarily feel will be a good fit just to get the hang of it. That way, you'll be prepared when the right opportunity comes.
Most companies will highly likely not run checks, and if they do, well who cares.
I had built two failed startups before and added them to my CV but made the mistake of calling myself "CTO". Don't do that: You worked at $fake_company for $duration doing $stuff.
I'm telling you this because most of the companies I interviewed with genuinely believed that my startups were legit companies. They would ask such questions as "Oh, are you still working at X ?". This is when I realised the power of perception.
Keep your head up, It's not going to be easy, but in the end you'll make it.