I'm a 60 year old software dev and still keeping up with the 25 year old kids writing code. I loath looking for a job because if I could hide my age, nobody would care. Working remotely is a godsend because it's more about the code I crank out and less about my age. Like you I had to lop off 20+ years of experience from my resume. I uploaded a picture of myself to Linkedin that's got to be 15 years old. Somehow I managed to find a new job last summer with minimal fuss but I have also been in there with a forcefield around me when applying to dozens and dozens of jobs with no callbacks. If it's any consolation the job market for young college graduates right now is impossible. Decent jobs are getting 1000 or 2000 applicants in a day or two after they posted. Most of my (fairly well off) friends kids in their mid 20s are still living at home. These are highly educated kids with well connected families and still can't find decent work....