Earlier quoted context omitted.
There are plenty of opportunities for older people in boring tech. I’m in my 40’s working for my local government and the majority of my coworkers are in their 50s and 60s. Great benefits but of course our salaries are not competitive.
Were any of you hired when you were in your 40's 50's, etc?
In my 40s and my job interviews were very easy the last couple of times I've switched jobs, because my battle scars are extremely valuable to companies.
The only time I've felt awkward about the age difference was an interview with 19-year-old startup founders who had retained an executive search firm for a VP Eng. We did not click at all, but in truth I don't actually know if that was the age gap or just an energy mismatch between us (they were pretty quiet).