Age and WFH IT Jobs

That Jekka Gal · Thursday at 16:43

I'd always assumed as an IT contractor that once I'd hit 50, I'd be on the scrapheap.

Looking back on my early to mid 50s, I now realise this was the most prolific period of my career in terms of billable days and day rate.

Cue covid and, naturally, things nose dived though I wasn't as badly affected as some.

No, it's been the past 2 years as I've edged closer to the big 6-0. I haven't worked in 12 months, despite putting in the effort & doing the usual things - skilling up in other tech etc.

I know a lot of IT work has been offshored & I know that the market has been dead for the past 2 years but I've survived downturns in the past. Got through the dotcom crash and the financial crisis without being out of contract for more than 6 months, which leads me to question my age.

Let's face it, chances are these days that you're going to be interfacing with an offshore team in your day to day work and these teams, in my experience, are made up of very young people. Can't help thinking that's a factor.

Be interested to hear the experiences of other "seasoned professionals".

Armageus · Thursday at 16:45

That Jekka Gal said:
I'd always assumed as an IT contractor that once I'd hit 50, I'd be on the scrapheap.

Explains why you used the contractoruk forum, now you just need to explain why you pretend to be a girl

Where's Gittins Gal? - Contractor UK Bulletin Board

All hope abandon ye who enter here. Seriously.

forums.contractoruk.com

slinxy · Thursday at 17:26

There is always work... it all depends if you are prepared/able to do what they are asking for at the price they are offering.

Most contractors don't seem to understand, that unless they are constantly upskilling.. most companys will get the skill/service that they are offering in house and it becomes part of someone's BAU role. What is in high demand and in fashion for a period where you can change a premium for soon ends up as just another skill that the company is asking their next recruit for.

That Jekka Gal · Thursday at 17:55

slinxy said:
Most contractors don't seem to understand, that unless they are constantly upskilling.. most companys will get the skill/service that they are offering in house and it becomes part of someone's BAU role.

Well, I certainly do understand that.

Throughout my contracting career, I've generally been the person who has brought new tech to the table.

Obviously, the decision making regarding the tech would be taken at a higher lever, but I'd go in as the only person on the team with a given skill and act in a lead dev role.

Of course, sometimes the opposite happens. I was hired in my last role to make some enhancements to a defence system written 15-20 years ago but there was nobody left there who knew WPF so I was hired for my legacy skills.