career-limiting moves

[shootingstar]

told me it's not even so much how you look, but more the "energy" you give off when you meet an interviewer or someone reads your resume

Most certainly evidence, of that "energy" becomes more important as one advances through the years. But I would add, evidence of flexible yet disciplined creativity/innovation, that has a clear goal/purpose/resolved a significant business problem/issue, is helpful also...for an applicant at mid-life and beyond.

What I did struggle with, was minimizing some really interesting jobs I've had, because some were just too far back in history.

However it's matter of somehow figuring out /hoping one is perceived as a good cultural fit with the organization and that is tough to know at times.

I recently was chatting with my manager (she's just a few years older than I) who was worried about someone applying for yet another job from another division, she was going to have filled officially by someone in our group. The person wishing to migrate to our group, has all the pre-eminent qualities for the job, but may not necessarily be a good team fit where some folks in our group, have strong personalities.

In your line of work, some life experiences might matter to some clients, Crankin.