I don't code, but I was a homemaker for a lot of years. My first full time paid job was at a Fortune 500 company. I was 41 years old and it paid better than min

I don't code, but I was a homemaker for a lot of years. My first full time paid job was at a Fortune 500 company. I was 41 years old and it paid better than minimum wage. I didn't plan that. I was trying to get a different job when a relative suggested I apply. But I knew people at the job who had spent years trying to get good enough to qualify. Get a copy of "What color is my parachute?" and read up on the section concerning informational interviews. See if you can get a few information interviews. The point is a fact finding mission to get some idea of what it really takes to get into the company in comparison to where you currently are. Do some googling online and start a folder to compile information on your target companies. Try to get some insight into what they are looking for. Try to find out what the application and interview process is like. Big companies tend to have very formal processes. Insider connections will generally be less useful to you than in small shops like you have been working at. I would do some basic legwork before asking further questions of this sort. I got a job at a big company and I can't really tell you how to make that happen. I had several years college and I had the math and language skills they wanted. I ended up qualifying for two positions and picking which one I wanted, this after more than a year of getting nowhere in my job search while going through a divorce. But there are people who are talented at job hunting (my sister is one such person) and my impression is they do a lot of research before applying. Best.