Opinions Please: Is Age a factor in getting chosen for a contract?

[Green Mango]

I think it is increasingly seen as a benefit.

A lot of contractors grew up with the Microsoft boom in the late 80s / early 90s and now they have 20 odd years experience in the ensuing growth of MS, Cisco, Oracle, etc, etc, stuff.

The truth is that IT is a maturing industry and as such the age range is growing with each year.

I think the industry is ageist, but because less graduates are going into IT, people older than mid thirties have been given a lifeline. In the past this wasn't the case.

[Green Mango]

Yes it will be a factor, works both ways.

A survey done buy a freelancer portal in Germany (Gulp) showed that, the older contractors got more contract offers than younger contractors, and here is the interesting thing, it didn't taper off. It was linear right through into the 60's. The contractors in their 60's got the most contract offers.

Of course you have some PM's that'll look for younger contractors, but what you'll find is over time your skill will become very niche and so although there may be less contracts in your niche overall, on the whole the supply is rarer so you'll be in even more demand when you're older.

The key is really stay in your niche and don't try to be too "up to date" otherwise you'll come across as an old buffoon, rather like a Grandaddy chasing young women.

One example of a pasture for old horses is mainframe; you will hardly see any contractor under 50 going for a mainframe contract, and the best contractors will be in their 60's, probably the sh*t hot mainframe contractors will be more like 70 or 80.

I have only worked with one contractor in his 60's. He was savaged by the technical lead and resigned.

[Robinho]

What about going the other way? I'm almost 26 so i don't put D.O.B. or uni dates, and don't give anything away on the first page so they actually read my CV and the jobs i've done.

[Green Mango]

What about going the other way? I'm almost 26 so i don't put D.O.B. or uni dates, and don't give anything away on the first page so they actually read my CV and the jobs i've done.

No worries for you as you are hardly young for the industry as by now you should have 5 years experience.

[Clever Hans]

I haven't noticed in the other thread if anyone has made the point there, but hiding (or misrepresenting) your age on the CV is going to be undermined somewhat by the annoying requirement to prove ID via passport/whatever.

[craig1]

Age is an interesting point. I noticed on this survey of interim managers (PDF) that the greatest number of respondents were in their 50s but the greatest percentage of those utilised were in their 40s. Same with daily rates, highest in the 40s for the interim manager market.

[Wanderer]

I'm in my mid thirties now, and I was thinking about starting to shave some years off my 'CV' age.

You are way to young for a mid life crisis my boy, now get back to work.

[nomadd]

I'm in my mid thirties now, and I was thinking about starting to shave.

Yes, if only to keep you in contracts. It may also help with The Ladies.

[Wanderer]

I haven't noticed in the other thread if anyone has made the point there, but hiding (or misrepresenting) your age on the CV is going to be undermined somewhat by the annoying requirement to prove ID via passport/whatever.

I don't think the OP was talking about deliberately misleading clients about his age but rather making subtle changes like deleting the details showing the year he left school and some of his earlies jobs which would help create an impression that he was younger than he was.

Nothing fraudulent, just a bit of marketing spin.... The client would of course find out what age he was when they met him. If you were trying to break into a job where you felt "too old" then this may help you get your foot in the door.

Personally I can't see that being in your mid 30s is "too old".

[DeludedAussie]

No worries for you as you are hardly young for the industry as by now you should have 5 years experience.

You really think 5 years is sufficent? I think you will struggle to ask for £650 a day at that age.