Long term, lack of CFI rating will not raise too many eyebrows. However...that assumes that you can get a non-CFI flying job with low flight time. This is normally very difficult, which is why most folks do the instructor gig. In the current economy, you might as well get the ratings...it's going to be hard enough to find even a CFI job.

Also if you end up working in general aviation or corporate, they often expect their pilots to be instructor-rated so as to be able to do certain types of training for other pilots.

You are not too old by a long shot, but don't waste any time.