Every job that I've gotten from applying to an open job posting has been worse than the jobs I've gotten from a referral, knowing someone at the company, etc.

Every job that I've gotten from applying to an open job posting has been worse than the jobs I've gotten from a referral, knowing someone at the company, etc. If you're been a dev for 20 years, do you have any sort of network? You will have much better chances of getting work through them.