I was technically employed, but have nothing to show for it - How do I explain this?

manpreet Best Answer 3 years ago

For the past few years I've been "working" at my father's company. My dad's business is in software development, but it's in Field A. I am trained as a software developer, but am focused on Field B - which is totally unrelated.

My initial plan was to set myself up and win my own clients, but run it via my dad's company. Suffice it to say that I was very naive about all of this. Long story short: Things didn't work out very well, and now it's been a few years and I haven't accomplished much: I don't have any noteworthy finished projects under my belt, and was basically just struggling for a few years while my dad supported me. To be fair, I was also clinically depressed for almost a year, which didn't help, but I do want to take responsibility for my mistakes and my naivety.

Anyways. Recently, things started to look better. I have relocated and have been contacted by a few potential clients & recruiters who are interested in hiring me to work on a project. I would like to take this opportunity, but I don't know how to explain the last 2-3 years. I have basically no portfolio, although I have "worked" for a few years, and I am also very aware that it might look bad that I have been employed by my father's company (name of my dad's company = my surname; uncommon surname).

How do I present myself now, how do I save this? I would also rather not mention the depression. I just don't know what to say.