Use by age for Test Managers

[Belle]

What’s the oldest age a contracting Test Manager could be to keep getting gigs? Anybody out there who is over 50 contracting as a Test Manager? Not there yet by a long shot, but am thinking I should be thinking about Plan B. Would be interested to hear from others feeling like they may be close to their use by age

[HeadOfTesting]

I've only recently turned 33 so this isn't uppermost in my thoughts but I would have thought that age discrimination is much less of an issue than it is in permiedom.

In my first role in 1998 my boss was a contract test manager and I would have said he was in his late fifties or early 60s.

That said, I would encourge every contractor to develop one or more plan b's.

[Sausage Surprise]

I'm 48 and it's not been a problem so far (I have a youthful outlook )

[pzz76077]

Your paid what you are worth and worth what you know. Not sure age comes into it.
Im 49 and have never had my age come into question with any of my clients. In fact most of 'em continually employ me because I know more with 25 years experience than the average graduate straight out of college.

PZZ

[d000hg]

I've only recently turned 33 so this isn't uppermost in my thoughts but I would have thought that age discrimination is much less of an issue than it is in permiedom.

That's an interesting observation, obvious with hindsight but not something I'd considered. Does this mean those approaching retirement age are actually more 'employable' as contractors?

[pzz76077]

That's an interesting observation, obvious with hindsight but not something I'd considered. Does this mean those approaching retirement age are actually more 'employable' as contractors?

Id say yes without a doubt if anyone asked me.

PZZ

[HeadOfTesting]

Id say yes without a doubt if anyone asked me.

PZZ

I agree

[grey_lady]

I think it also depends on the area you work in, it seems to me that its more common in old-school embedded type engineering companies to have older staff both contract and perm. In new media companies e.g digital agencies or companies based around one website the staff seem to me to be much younger generally - Just what I've noticed as I've worked in both.

I gather its quite important when recruiting permies that the person you hire is a 'good fit' with the company / team, now that probably wouldnt apply at all contractors, which fits in with what the others have said.

I've not reached 50 btw.

[uky kozak]

IMO age now has 0 impact on positions. In fact I would stretch myself to say that time serve'd in the industry has more influence than age.

[HeadOfTesting]

IMO age now has 0 impact on positions. In fact I would stretch myself to say that time serve'd in the industry has more influence than age.

It certainly is a consideration in permiedom.