I’ve known how to code for 10 years but have never known how to turn it into a job.
Hobby projects, writing scripts for clients, example code for documentation, guiding developers through implementations… none of this will get you a programming job
Discussion
To be fair, I’ve never known how to turn ANY skill into a job. You really do just have to get lucky.
What are you scripting in?
I used to do ETL scripts in Python
When you tried getting a programming job, what kinds of companies did you contact? In Germany, especially smaller companies tend to give lateral entrants a chance.
I guess the problem with that is I don’t meet the bare requirements of job listings. And recruiters are extremely strict about that stuff because they don’t know what any of it means
Have you tried just emailing founders of smaller companies? Like agencies that build web sites/apps for SMEs? If there are any in your area, that could be a start. E.g. ask if you can join them for a coffee.