Reply to: Too old to contract?

[northernladuk]

Thought it was me that said "definately" for a minute!

So did I!!... Oh c**p... I did.. Bugger

[DramaQueen]

Actually (ahem...) I was the OP. I'm a software tester with about 25 years experience and an ISEB Foundation Cert in Software Testing. I contracted for about 3 years at the end of the 90's, but apart from that it's been mostly blue chips all the way, including 12 years or so in Banking.

For northernladuk, software testing does indeed need a structured mind, and these days an ISEB cert as well usually. And experience of the full test lifecycle. And knowledge of a shedload of hardware and operating systems. It has also proved a little harder to offshore than development, largely due to cultural considerations, but this is changing of course. And yes, I do realise this is a crap time to start looking for a contract. But thanks for playing Devil's Advocate, that's the kind of mindset us testers like


And yes, the 2 hour commutes do sound rough,!

(Thought it was me that said "definately" for a minute!

Ronnie

[jvector]

not getting any younger

Do you really want to go back to 2 hour commutes, working away from home? These are factors that your age are definately going to affect.

That is exactly where I am. Yes I did a 12 month contract 200 miles from home (rented a mobile home from the farmer who owned land just next to the client labs outside Ipswich; 3 minute walk to work and do me own dinner ;-) but that was 12 years ago and I am now on the wrong side of 55 and looking at contracts anywhere. And I say to myself "I should not have to be doing this at my age"...

oh and BTW

definately

definitely

[Fred Bloggs]

However saying that I am certain if a client looks at a CV which has a very large no of short contract they do view it with suspicion.

That was certainly true when I went for my first job in the nuclear industry. I came from a petrochemicals background where 3 to 9 month jobs are (or rather they were, there are virtually none at all now) common place. Of course, nothing happens in the nuclear industry in less than a 5 year time frame. The bloke doing the face to face with me thought it odd that I'd had all these short gigs. He said, "I suppose the saving grace is that several clients have had you do several jobs. I'd have been worried if that wasn't the case." I got the job 18 months ago. There's probably another 4 years work on the job if I can stand the tedium.

[Ruse]

And neither are long ones. Especially in this day and age.

Glad we got that sorted.

Nomadd

However numerous renewals must be some sort of confirmation of worth/ability. I've had contracts which finished after 3 months because I had done the job and that was all that needed doing and contracts which were renewed every 3/6 months for up to 3 years.

However saying that I am certain if a client looks at a CV which has a very large no of short contract they do view it with suspicion.

[nomadd]

Short contracts are not a good indicator of the applicants ability.

And neither are long ones. Especially in this day and age.

Glad we got that sorted.

Nomadd

[Fat Dave]

Short contracts are not a good indicator of the applicants ability.

I don't know what you're getting at, but in my case they reflect the duration of the projects.

[Mailman_1]

Short contracts are not a good indicator of the applicants ability.

[Fat Dave]

What's your skillset that you currently contract with, if you don't mind me asking ?

Not at all - BA, B2B, Retail & Logistics. I get a few contracts re-visiting former clients whose requirements have changed. My CV is rather impressive, though I say so myself, because of my history of successes with household name businesses. Generally short contracts of 3-6 months.

[northernladuk]

What's your skillset that you currently contract with, if you don't mind me asking ?

I am glad someone actually decided to actually quantify the OP's situation before just giving some 'it worked for me' advice without looking at the whole situation.

The important points most of you are missing is which area of work and also the OP's history.

It does say testing but I don't know this work, is it something the whizz kids can do or does this need a structured mind etc? It needs to be taken in to consideration.

He is also permie. You guys get end to end contracts cause your in the market, doing the job, living the lifestyle etc. To come back in from permie puts you on the back foot straight away. The long term contractors are gonna be ahead of you. To beat them you need something special as you are an unknown quantity. You have no proof you can cut the long commutes, working from home etc Do you really want to go back to 2 hour commutes, working away from home? These are factors that your age are definately going to affect. I know it's illegal to do so but lets talk common sense here not law.

Sorry to be doom and gloom but I am playing devils advocate here. Too many people saying yeah go for it and putting a positive spin with no justification except their own personal experience so here is the other side for you to ponder.

I think it will be tough for you to be honest... plus the fact the market is crap. Couldn't have picked a worse time.

[alreadypacked]

I've got a cv that's straight software testing for mainly blue-chips. The market doesn't look too hot, but I think it's warming up a bit. Would that be about right too?

thanks

Ronnie

As other have said market is dead at the moment, for me contract roles are connected to the finance cycle. I am expecting the most new roles at the end March for April start.

While you are waiting do you have automation/load testing ? Get some training.

[Ruse]

I'm 63. I look younger, and I don't put my d.o.b. on my CV. Still getting regular contracts, so why retire?

What's your skillset that you currently contract with, if you don't mind me asking ?

[Diestl]

I'm 63. I look younger, and I don't put my d.o.b. on my CV. Still getting regular contracts, so why retire?

Good point, wig and some bottox and you can contract till your 90.

[Fat Dave]

I'm 63. I look younger, and I don't put my d.o.b. on my CV. Still getting regular contracts, so why retire?

[BlasterBates]

All those young programmers from the 90's are still around and what else are they going to do?....a bit like Paul McCartney at 65 still performing Rock'n'Roll.

C++ is now 20 years old, and Java aint much younger, and C# is just Java with blue knobs instead of red knobs.

nope just as Cobol and mainframes was a young man's game in the 1960's and became an old man's game in the 90's so the same will happen with the newer technologies.