Reply to: Thinking about contracting - lots of questions

[kingshuk]

In my experience end clients couldn't give a damn about age; they're more interested in getting somebody who knows their stuff.

I will second that. In my current contract the testing and business analyst team has quite a few people of that age group. Majority are contractors and are quite good. Never heard the hiring manager (or the permies here) talking about age being an issue.

[TheFaQQer]

The kind or people who want to talk about Muffin the Mule these days are usually a bit umm... strange

Muffin the Mule has been redone for CBeebies now - it's a sign of having young children. If you throw in lines like "my parents / grandparents say it's nowhere near as good as it was in black and white..." then you may pass for even younger.

The same applies to Bill and Ben, if that helps.

[robnjc]

IMO there is no such thing a "security" for permies anymore. I've worked all my life in the financial mkt, mostly insurance of one sort or another. I've worked with permies who have been outsourced, insourced and outsourced again. Usually with the associated degradation of benefits associated with such moves.

I'm currently contracting for a large insurance company and what IT they have not outsourced they are now "consolidating" in fewer locations. Guys with 20 & 30 years loyalty and experience and business & system knowledge are being made redundant, and whilst the balance sheet benefits in the dhort term the business suffers later.

Companies no longer deserve loyalty from their staff as they give none back. The only company I ever felt any loyalty for ended up making me redundant.

btw, I'm 47, returned to contracting 3 years ago after being forced out the last time during the Y2K code freezes. Best thing I ever did.

[DramaQueen]

Thanks for all your replies, I'm feeling a lot more enthusiastic now! Bobhope, I know to lay off the punch card stories ... I've even learnt a whole generation of kids programmes from the 80's to allow me to "pass" for 10 years younger or so. The kind or people who want to talk about Muffin the Mule these days are usually a bit umm... strange


DramaQueen

[Troll]

I knew a tester in his 60's at RBS last year... just met 2 more (females 1 perm 1 contract) on this gig & working for a 3rd party supplier - both must be late 50's or 60 & very very good- having been through t'mill a few times - they know what I want (Oh err) and without fail to date have delivered.
Only negative (or positive if you like) is that I don't spend all my time in meetings staring at their chests!

Testing is an area where age is a bonus IMHO

[richard-af]

I think just lay off the stories about punch cards and you'll be fine.

Yep. I worked with a nice, more mature, coder about 2 years ago. He was aways blabbing on about punch cards, big old flexi-disk media, and all that. He really did talk himself out of a job in the end, I'm certain of it. Shame, as he was quite capable.

[bobhope]

I think just lay off the stories about punch cards and you'll be fine.

[castoff101]

Old fart ....

In contract as a Notes developer and fifty years of age!

No problems so far ...

[zathras]

I used to contract about 10 years ago and am thinking of going back to it again. Just weighing up the pros and cons as I can't take the number of Dilbert-like conversations I'm getting at the moment.

I'm a very experienced tester, but with experience comes ... age (and I just turned 50).
Is contracting a young person's game or is the world full of companies who don't care so long as you do the work? Is it better to go for the rewards and freedom of contracting or stick with the "security" of an employer?

I think the market seems to be ok these days, I just need to weigh up the pros and cons.

As a side issue - someone asked the other day what their chance of success would be as a former developer, if they retrained as a tester & got their ISEB in software testing. I know people who have done that but I couldn't really answer from experience. Maybe you guys know?

Thanks in advance,

DQ

You might want to have a read through the PCG Guide to Freelancing

Also if you are just starting out the PCG has PCG OneStop

PCG OneStop has been designed to help self-employed workers to set up a limited company quickly and easily, providing all of the resources required to ensure they comply with legislation and tax requirements.

The new service offers a choice of packages, OneStop Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, enabling freelancers to choose the level of support which best suits their needs.

All four packages include PCG Standard Single membership, providing tax and legal helplines, draft contracts, limited company formation and support, and insurance to cover any tax disputes with HMRC.

Freelancers can then choose whether to take one of the more comprehensive packages, which include extras such as accountancy advice, a review of client contracts, accountancy services, full book-keeping and VAT service, as well as professional indemnity insurance.

Also if you do not feel up to running a limited company there is PCG QU

There is no point in going to a Managed Service Provider and avoid those who say they have a dispensation and you can claim oodles of expenses to improve your take home - you can't, there is a word for this - fraud.

[Ardesco]

Zeitghost looks about 400 years old...

Which is quite an acheivement considering he is at least 800!!

[Methuselah]

I've never had a problem with age discrimination, and I'm 969.

[Bluebird]

Zeitghost looks about 400 years old...

[Ruprect]

Blimey, this board is full of auld b4starts... makes me feel positively sprightly.

Off Topic: Sausage Surprise: best new handle I've seen in a long while

[thunderlizard]

I reckon you'll be OK, especially in testing where a mature approach helps. During recessions and downturns, older people tend to suffer more, because companies can only afford juniors, that's all.

[BA to the Stars]

Been contracting for almost 4 years and only been on the bench for a couple of months in that time and I am 45, so age should not be a problem. A pal of mine has a similar track record in down time and he is in his 50's