I'm 51. After 20 years in SQL and C# I'm tired of it. Last year I got myself on a Python project and I loved it. Then I got myself on a TypeScript project and I loved that even more.

I imagine that if I interviewed for a Node.js job they'd probably look at me like I was nuts. They'd probably think the worst possible thoughts, as people do. After 30 years in software development, they'd think maybe I wasn't cut out for it? Like it took me 30 years to figure out what they figured out in 30 seconds of looking at my face, because they're so much "smarter".

One thing you learn over 30 years working is that everyone thinks they're smarter than everyone else. Another thing you learn is that if someone is good at one programming language, they're probably also going to do well at other technologies. Since certain types of people like to do different things and not just the same thing their entire lives, HR ought to give those people a break.