At 40+ you are pretty much unemployable

[BrilloPad]

See what I mean? Who'd employ an old mutt like Churchill with an attitude like that?

I would if he would get the job done.

[Turion]

I know this sounds stupid, and it is, but many young managers feel uncomfortable supervising older people, as these "look like" they should be doing the supervising (and could often do a better job). Some companies routinely bin CVs from anyone over 40 or even 30 for no more than that "image" reason.

I think this type of abuse is declining due to several factors, though it obviously still happens. Some simple measures can reduce the chances: Remove DOB and do not date your qualifications on CV, for starters. EB's also sometimes ask my DOB, but I never give it.

[Cyberman]

I know this sounds stupid, and it is, but many young managers feel uncomfortable supervising older people, as these "look like" they should be doing the supervising (and could often do a better job). Some companies routinely bin CVs from anyone over 40 or even 30 for no more than that "image" reason.

Never put your age on your CV and do not have dates on it older than about 10 years or so, then it will can never be binned for ageism reasons. Surely that is commonsense.
I have never been asked my age at interview and I am over 50. The only times I have noticed ageism is when I have later admitted my age during a contract, and that was a mistake that I will not be making again.

[DodgyAgent]

One of my favourite stories relates to a bank and a client who was a real "go getting" hot shot. He was 27 at the time and he asked me to find an Oracle developer who he said he did not expect to be older than him. I ended up placing a contractor who was 42 and who has now developed a relationship with this client whereby I am no longer needed to place him there .

What he was actually saying was that he didnt want a know all who had a problem working for a younger manager. What he got was the best of both worlds, i.e someone who had really good experience and who was flexible enough to allow the manager to work to his own agenda.

What the client wanted was nothing to do with age. The problem is of course that the older people get the more negatively they are perceived. So here are some tips..


1. NEVER say how many years you have been doing something unless you are being asked by someone who wants specific information.
2. NEVER say "I've been at this game for 30 years and I know how to do things" . You may be right but there are better ways of explaining yourself than playing the age card.
3. If you are bald dont comb your hair over the bald bits. Pay some attention to how you look.
4. The older you get the more important it is to engage people on their terms rather than your own.
5. Dont talk about people dying or falling ill. I know as we get older we know more people who are likely to die or become ill, but that is no excuse for going on about it.
6. DONT go around telling people how good things used to be.
7. If you want to reminisce about glory years than do it here http://forums.contractoruk.com/ or in the local pub with your fellow old gits.

[HRH]

HRH, how old are you?

Im 26 Sir.

[HYpno27]

I'm over 40 and have yet to meet any problem

Also when I recruit people I'm looking at skills and experience for the roll, which depending on the job may actually bias me the other way more

[Churchill]

See what I mean? Who'd employ an old mutt like Churchill with an attitude like that?

Just what do you mean?

I have recruited people who are older than I am for certain roles, younger for others.

Age does not come into it. Ability, experience and attitude are what counts.

Now, be a luv and make me a cup of tea!

[KathyWoolfe]

I know that it is now illegal to discriminate against people because of their age but that doesn't stop it happening. If the discriminatee complains they're easily told that it was because of "other factors".

I have found it harder to get employed (in a permanent role) but I assume that it is because of my skill set and not because of my age because I generally follow the guidelines set out by DA.

[VectraMan]

I know that it is now illegal to discriminate against people because of their age .

Is that in any way true for contractors? I assume not.

It worries me when permie job ads say "senior software engineer, 5 years experience". Obviously they're expecting someone who's 26, not 36 like me.

But that's permiedom. For contractors, I don't think it matters, and the issue of younger managers doesn't matter either.

[DodgyAgent]

I know that it is now illegal to discriminate against people because of their age but that doesn't stop it happening. If the discriminatee complains they're easily told that it was because of "other factors".

I have found it harder to get employed (in a permanent role) but I assume that it is because of my skill set and not because of my age because I generally follow the guidelines set out by DA.

Agencies will do the discriminating on behalf of employers anyway.

There are a number of points to made on this.

There are some perfectly reasonable grounds for discriminating on the basis of age. Employers often want people to gain experience at the sharp end of a business in order that they can then one day run that business. On the other hand employers often want people (contractors are a prime example) who can repeat what they have already done recently in their careers, so older experienced people are better than ambitious learners.

There is an ageing population (on this board particularly ) who are able to work for longer, and employers need to take advantage of this for their own benefit.

Individuals should look closely at themselves and always try to learn new things. Why not try learning a new language for instance? how many times have we heard "I am too old to learn a new language or how to play a musical instrument" in which case I would reply that you are too old to for anything other than collecting your bus pass.

The opportunities are there, dont write yourself off on account of your age