Comment You gotta network (Score 1) 629
The best advice I have for anyone as they get older in this business is to network and build lasting relationships. Be the guy who gets things done with few defects. Be the guy who isn't afraid of new tech. Be the guy who your managers depend on and then follow those managers to new opportunities as necessary and if possible.
I've had managers tell me, "If these people are ever stupid enough to lay you off, give me a call.", which is exactly what I did when I did finally get laid off as the last engineering jobs on the product I used to work on went to China.
I have been working remotely, non-contract, full time for 18 years. If I didn't have manager connections who knew me to be very productive working from home, I expect I would have had a hard time finding another remote position. There are some companies that prefer remotes though, so that is one place to look.
I have been doing commercial software development though, not internal IT, so YMMV.