At 40+ you are pretty much unemployable

[HRH]

This statement was posted in response to one of my threads.

Would like to get feedback on whether this is a widely held belief. Let's stick to discussing the IT Contracting sector and not Mc D or B & Q type roles. (those jobs favour the over 75's )

From my 9 yrs contracting and now over 40 myself, have to say I've never noticed it. Don't often get involved in the recruiting side, but generally It's always been based on skills, experience and rate. If those are in order then the candidate has a fair shot what ever his/her age. Maybe my sector in the ERP business favours maturity, which may not be the case in a sector like web development where the coders do tend to be younger and rates lower.

It was a comment made by myself I believe and was made with a pinch of sodium chloride. I think if you are the best man/women for the job you get it but the problem comes when you are up against a younger person. Older people tend to be more stubborn and less willing to 'play the game' its also likely that they'll be less flexible on rates. Ageism like all isms in the work place is hard to prove but I have seen in many times at previous sites.

[Marina]

Older people tend to be more stubborn and less willing to 'play the game' its also likely that they'll be less flexible on rates. Ageism like all isms in the work place is hard to prove but I have seen in many times at previous sites.

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.

[Turion]

It was a comment made by myself

HRH, how old are you?

[cojak]

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.

That's tulipe in my experience.

Only if they're permies....

Experienced PM's employ people they know will get the job done (and make them look good to the client).

[Francko]

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.

Let's admit too, it's not easy to get over people's stupidity at 40 and over. You'd just go and tell up his face what you think. Also you wouldn't get your manager to abuse you but you would punch him in the nose if he ever dare to do so.*

Much more preferrable a young and malleable character.

* This is not only because you have more pride when you are older but also because you might keep your dignity down when you are younger because you hope to become a manager yourself but when you are 40 and over you know you are not becoming a manager and therefore you are not willing to compromise your dignity for that.

[Churchill]

You young people do talk crap.

Churchill - In "Over 40" mode!

[Marina]

That's tulipe in my experience.

Only if they're permies....

True, it was permie managers I had in mind.

[BrilloPad]

You young people do talk c**p.

Churchill - In "Over 40" mode!

Indians talk more c**p than young permies.

[Marina]

You young people do talk crap.

Churchill - In "Over 40" mode!

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

[aussielong]

40+ is an emerging IT demographic

Surely the IT boom only happened in the mid 80's when PCs become readily available. Uni numbers in IT rocketed. The first main wave of grads after that would now be in their early 40's with nobody above them other than mainframe dudes. So, in 10 years time there will be lots of programmers in their 40's.