Advice for 'Older' workers

**cojak** · 11 May 2013, 15:28

I've never experienced ageism - contracting seems to be blind to it, but if you find it in one client go to another one.

Clients are more interested in relevant experience rather than any experience, they can afford to be picky because there's so many wannabe newbies trying to get in.

**Old Greg** · 11 May 2013, 17:51

My advice would be to concentrate on contracts where your experience is an excellent fit to the requirements. I think there is some ageism when it comes to contracts where you are trying to convince of your ability to quickly adapt and learn new skills or knowledge.

Make your years of experience an asset.

Having said that, if cojak hasn't experienced ageism, it must be a myth.

**socialworker** · 11 May 2013, 19:56

I left a local authority at 57 and was told by agents that I was unlikely to get contract work. One even said that clients might show some understanding for me as I would obviously take longer to get into a job

......I am on my third contract and have been offered extensions each time. At one place there were three of us, myself, a 20 something and a 30 something - I was the only one to be offered an extension and it was a v high pressure environment. You dont say how old you are but I would get a decent up to date haircut, be relaxed and show you are flexible and have confidence in yourself. I think a lot of the fear for employers on taking on the middle aged is getting lumbered with someone who goes off for months sick - they are't taking that risk with a contractor. If you assume there is ageism you will be anticipating failure.

**Zippy** · 11 May 2013, 20:08

You'll be fine.
1. Don't put your age on your cv(and remove those 'O' levels from 1970)
2. Agents won't dare ask, clients won't care
3. Don't try and 'get down with the kids'. It's never a good look - even if you're a kid. Just be friendly and open minded.

All the best.

**radish2008** · 12 May 2013, 10:50

Originally posted by Zippy View Post

You'll be fine.
1. Don't put your age on your cv(and remove those 'O' levels from 1970)
2. Agents won't dare ask, clients won't care
3. Don't try and 'get down with the kids'. It's never a good look - even if you're a kid. Just be friendly and open minded.

All the best.

Really good advice.

**BlasterBates** · 12 May 2013, 10:57

I don´t see age as a problem. Plenty of contractors around well into their 50´s even 60´s. I don´t think you need to hide it, in the end they are going to meet you for an interview so they will find out.

**cojak** · 12 May 2013, 11:21

Advice for 'Older' workers

Great advice from both Zippy and Social worker.

My CV only goes back to the previous 10 years and nobody is interested in it before that.

I don't consider my age to be a factor so neither does anyone else - in fact generally I consider myself to be fabulous and the client should think themselves fortunate that I'm deigning to think about working for them.

**socialworker** · 12 May 2013, 13:30

I should have added, good luck with the hunt.

**Pogle** · 13 May 2013, 06:25

Originally posted by cojak View Post

Great advice from both Zippy and Social worker.

My CV only goes back to the previous 10 years and nobody is interested in it before that.

I don't consider my age to be a factor so neither does anyone else - in fact generally I consider myself to be fabulous and the client should think themselves fortunate that I'm deigning to think about working for them.

Ditto, never had a problem with ageism - sexism yes, but ageism no.

Advice for 'Older' workers