Episode 527: I lost my job after 10 years and am I too old to switch to a security career?

The current job market for software engineers has become increasingly difficult due to a high volume of AI-generated applications, which erodes trust and complicates the resume screening process. To stand out, candidates should prioritize referrals and proactive, personalized outreach to recruiters rather than relying on cold applications. Meanwhile, experienced professionals nearing retirement can successfully pivot into security and compliance roles by leveraging their deep technical background and intuition to evaluate AI-generated outputs. While security roles range from tedious checkbox-driven compliance tasks to high-level investigative work, a seasoned engineer’s ability to act as a collaborative partner—understanding both the technical trade-offs and the practical realities of development—provides a significant advantage over less experienced practitioners. Embracing such career transitions late in one's professional life offers a rewarding path forward, provided the individual remains adaptable and critical of automated tools.