I'm 39 and looking into Is it too late to switch to IT in your 30s in the US? specifically for remote work opportunities. Does the cloud technology sector have a bias against older "junior" employees, or is the demand for talent so high that it overrides any potential age-based concerns from hiring managers?
3 answers
In the remote cloud technology space, your skills and your output are far more important than your age. Because you are often working asynchronously, managers care about whether the "infrastructure works" and if the "tickets are being closed." I transitioned at 38 and have been working remotely for a US-based firm since late 2023. I found that my ability to manage my own time and communicate clearly—skills I developed in my previous career—made me a much better remote employee than some of the younger hires. If you can prove you are technically competent through your certs and portfolio, your age often won't even come up until you're already in the interview stage.
Are you specifically targeting startups or more established enterprise companies, as the hiring culture can vary significantly between the two when it comes to age?
Remote work is the great equalizer. As long as your code and your cloud deployments are solid, most managers won't care if you're 25 or 45. Just focus on results.
Results speak louder than a birth certificate. In a field as technical as cloud computing, your expertise is what defines you. Stay focused on building your lab environments!
I’m mostly looking at established enterprise firms, Donald. I feel like my previous corporate experience might be more valued there. When people ask Is it too late to switch to IT in your 30s in the US?, I think the answer is definitely "no" in the enterprise world because they appreciate stability and professional experience. Do you think enterprise roles are generally more stable for career changers?