I think if you're applying direct to a small startup or company that has a strong culture - they are more likely to want to look at some kind of online profile.

I think if you're applying direct to a small startup or company that has a strong culture - they are more likely to want to look at some kind of online profile. It cuts through a lot of the traditional process where everyone describes themselves in a similar way. If you want to work for that kind of company make something useful, make it public & up-to date. Write about it, share it. That shows you are actively building projects again. Reach out to those companies that you want to work for even if they are not actively hiring. Start a conversation. As for getting past tech recruiters - I don't think they have time to get impressed with specific candidates. They just want to send their quota of best resumes to the hiring manager. Try and avoid applying through recruiters at all costs. You can usually work out the company it's for by taking the description in the job advert and doing a quick search. Apply direct where possible. If you have to go through a recruiter then send your resume and call straight after. Ask them if they have received it, if you can tailor it specifically to the role, what stage the job is at - do they have a date set for interviews yet. Ideally you would stay on the phone until they send it across to the manager. Help them to do their job in one phone call. You have to remember that if a job is with a recruiter it says something about the job or the company. It has probably been advertised internally, on their website and all other kinds of free places before they go with a recruiter. Same goes for jobs in newspapers. It's either a low salary or a very picky hiring manager. I'm happy to take a look at your resume - my e-mail is above. However for remote roles a good place to start is with the companies that show up on the monthly hiring posts here.