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

[AlfredJPruffock]

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.

Spot on there BB - Im 50.5 and never had it so good - and as Time goes by indeed my skillset becomes rarer I could get another contract at the drop of a Hat - current assignment has been for two years .

[SueEllen]

I have never come across true ageism at work, or sexism thinking about it so would hope it doesn't exist. The reality of course, is a different thing altogether.

I've seen both but only experienced one of them.

To be fair most people tend to go on how people look and come across as they tend to only read the 1st page of your CV plus lots of people don't look (and act) their age.

[SunnyInHades]

I've seen both but only experienced one of them.

To be fair most people tend to go on how people look and come across as they tend to only read the 1st page of your CV plus lots of people don't look (and act) their age.

Ageism is still a factor.
I've overheard contractor candidate comments by permies like
'there all about 80!'
'he's younger than the others but not as young as us'

However, if you'r 'only a contractor' (permy speak) and can be removed pretty quickly if need be, you'll probably be given a chance to prove you can produce the goods if you'r cv's good and you do ok in any interview tests.

Going for a permy job however, when your 15+ years older than the rest of the gang .. that’s a different ball game ..

[vegan4life]

I'm a BA in the banking sector - pushing 50 and regularly work with guys who look old enough to be my father.

No one I work with seems to have a problem with age. Skills, experience and not being a numpty are all that seems to matter.

Hope that helps.