ad 2) you're right... maybe it's because I used to be a PM and I still perceive this position as more prestigious
ad 3 and 4 and generally) you are right that I have non-technical knowledge and I can apply it with success, but the two main problems here for me are is that
a) finding projects as a 'software developer' or 'software engineer' is much easier (although finding new leads is the hardest part for me at all)
b) I cannot market myself both as a 'just a developer' and 'top notch consultant' at the same time, and because of a) I have to keep the 'developer' profile
basically finding new leads is the worst part for me. I could be a 'consultant' and manage or cover myself most of such a project areas, but finding such consultanty gigs is tricky for me.
anyone has an advice on finding such projects? frankly 99% of mine come from referrals and sometimes I found some accidentally on Twitter. cold emails, responding to job offers etc never works for me.
how about you, @hopeless, what is it you're doing right now and how does it work for you?
Probably I'm just an old spoiled fart having an early midlife crisis. I know exactly what I don't want and I know more-or-less what I want:
* I'm used to working remotely from home and flexible hours and that works super for me
* I love responsibility and independence: I don't want to be part of a team where a couple of people do the same thing. I can do the whole solution on my own OR I can be a part of a team with clear responsiblity separation, where for example someone does the backend, I do the frontend etc.
* I could come back to management only when I'd succeed with my own product and had to handle company growth.
* So essentially, in the end I would prefer to end up with my own product, but for the time being, I'm seeking opportunities that allow me to work independently (or semi-), take reponsibility and work from home. Freelancing does that, but as I said: most PMs are in their twenties, and finding well paying client that wants to invest in a quality remote developer is hard.
I have thought of that. I sent a couple of resumes and I was always rejected. I don't know the exact cause, but potentially it could be that I have mixed skills - some years as a project manager, some years as a developer, some as a freelance developer. I suppose most employers want to see a clear path.