lack of work in North west

**NOTiFY** · 25 November 2004, 08:35

I'm constantly getting calls re contracts in the N.W.

I have 8+ years Java and 4 years+ J2EE with Weblogic & Websphere experience. Perhaps it's your skillset?

However I live in Cambridge, and only visit the City of Manchester Stadium every other weekend from August to May!

**lilelvis2000** · 25 November 2004, 10:54

skills...maybe age?

My skill set should be fine..ASP,VB,SQL,C++,MFC,UML, ACCESS with 10+ years of overall experience.

I am missing .Net which seems to be coming on. But don't think its a big negative.

Do you have your own website Notify?

Salik

**NOTiFY** · 25 November 2004, 18:56

Re: skills...maybe age?

I'm just 47 and have been contracting just over 26 years.

Haven't experience agism yet.

**BlasterBates** · 26 November 2004, 15:24

Re: skills...maybe age?

The market was bouyant in the summer and a lot of people commenting how easy it is found their contracts then, whereas although there are some opportunties things are definitely difficult just at the moment. For example large companies such as Barclays have put a stop on contractors. There does however seem to be plenty of permie jobs.

With regard to age, as long as you have the skills to get a senior position it is no problem, but if you need to step back into permie to gain additional skills you really are up sh*t creek as nobody will take on a 40+ year other than to do something he is totally experienced in, and the other thing is they would expect you to be an experienced team leader.

There is no doubt it is easier when you're younger because you can easily cop out into a permie job.

**GO4IT** · 3 January 2005, 03:12

When I was in my early thirties which was about 10 years ago, I was in a permie job looking for a move. I had a good chat with an agent and he was much more frank than they would dare be these days. He said that once someone gets into their mid-thirties it gets pretty tough to find work for them. And the older they get the tougher it is. If you ask me, it's even worse nowadays. Unfortunately!

But that should just make you either try harder and learn new skills, work for yourself or go and work on the continent where experience is still an asset! (ie. Germany)

**BlasterBates** · 5 January 2005, 12:46

mid-thirties

****

But I don´t think it´s as bad as that now, I have the feeling the age barrier has gone up. At thirty-five I reckon you´re in your prime these days.

There are jobs for experienced people, they´re just ******* difficult to get, and I agree with the Germany thing. Graduates only start work when they´re thirty over here so mid-thirties is a young whippersnapper, well almost.

**lilelvis2000** · 5 January 2005, 22:28

no wrinkles please

mid-thirties, try late-thirties! double f*

In good ole Canada I didn't experience any...Ageism is banned in the constitution you see.but then I look 30ish. As long as I dye my greys.

Its far more prevalent here. what with putting the age on CVs and holidays entitlements which can be based on your age...not length of service.

I once heard that someone was not hired based on the wear on her shoes. Now that seems to be taking the mickey to the extreme!

Even when the new ageism legislation comes in 2006, employers will simply find other words to describe "young, no wrinkles please."

BTW - still little work up here.
Sal.

**rebeccaloos** · 6 January 2005, 09:52

Re: .

eds

**BlasterBates** · 6 January 2005, 09:53

Re: .

no

But nice try.

It´s the "other one" you know.

lack of work in North west