[zz865]

I think low expectations is the best outlook. After 35 you're less desirable, sure you have experience but its not with the things employers are looking for. Eg right now the hot skills are tech that's only been around for 5 years, so you dont have any advantage over a 30 year old. Its worth doing some management jobs but they generally suck, my view is to keep as IC and just be happy with getting paid less than you used to make. If you are less fussy on money there are more choices out there. If you want more money get a side hustle.

Yes people will tell you can be pricipal dev or whatever but the pyramid narrows quickly, its only for people who are really good tech and people wise. That might be you but most devs assume they'll get there when they wont.

[dafelst]

You do know that experience with a particular technology is only a tiny part of the equation here, right? A veteran with 20 years in the industry has seen a LOT more stuff than someone with 10 years in the industry, irrespective of the tech stack. To call the two equivalent is very short sighted, especially at the Staff/Principal level where that person is ostensibly responsible for making high impact decisions.

[zz865]

Yes I've been doing this for 30 years. I also know all the interviews I've done lately nobody has cared about what I did 20 years ago.

[dafelst]

I'm in my 40s and haven't experienced that - perhaps you're not looking in the right places

[zz865]

Perhaps I did suggest principal level isn't worth it. Most of my friends have taken the first 10-20 years off the resume - or have dramatically shrunk it.

[mixmastamyk]

Sure, but a younger hiring manager probably doesn’t appreciate that. Business owners (at any age) never appreciated quality.

[cableshaft]

It's still possible to learn new tech at that age. I'm in that age bracket and I'm using React and GraphQL and AWS and Terraform and Docker along with the young consultants. Didn't take that long to pick it up enough to be useful either. I probably won't be the resident expert anytime soon (nor am I quite so driven to become an expert in that tech quickly, like I might have done when I was younger), but I'm still building websites with them.

My prior experience with other tech stacks helped me pick things up more easily too, because I know what subjects I should be googling to get the information I need, and a lot of it is basically the same concept, but with different syntax.

[_hcuq]

Yep. Good answer. Get an easy job. Maybe at a non tech company like Walmart or whatever. Work 9-5. Figure out how to maximize your salary within the corporate structure.Do a side hustle if you want. I am 56 and I have been doing this for 15 years. I don’t miss the 80 hour weeks.