InsideTech

I have had my own web design company for a couple of years, but now I'm thinking about looking for a job as an ASP.NET developer.

There seem to be quite a few openings here in the Denver area, but I have a question:

Since I'm 60 years old, am I likely to run into significant age discrimination?  I worked at Qwest a few years ago as a mainframe software engineer, and the average age of the web developers their seemed to be around half my age.

Thanks for any help you can give!

-Breck

Hi Breck -

My dad is facing this same issue, he is 69 and has lots of networking degrees and experience.

So far no one has hired him, he has gotten a lot of thank you's for submitting your resume type letters.

It's a gamble at best. I think your best bet would be to take your company live and only hire older people!

Your resume needs to be sharp! Turn in a CD with a Power Point Presentation, show the company you know your technology!

Discrimination not only affects 40 year olds - it affects every age group!

Good luck!

JL

I agree with bhamdesigns4u...  If you already have your own company, why the urge to change at this stage of your career?  You can always add ASP.net to your skills in web development and use it for your biz.  I fear that you might find lots of resistance, whether or not it's legal.  I recently went back to retool by completing a bachelor's degree in IS, and I am somewhat concerned that I might be the recipient of age discrimination...  And I'm 38.

To everyone who have an age issue. I don't believe things are going to get any better because working in the Accounting field for 20 years. Just about all Large to Middle size companies are getting rid of their older workforce. The cost for insurance the company have to pay for its workers is bassed on the average age of the work force. Once you reach a sertin age the cost to insure you for the company goes up. In times like these everyone is trying to cut cost. And the aging workers is where they start. It don't matter howlong you've been with the company or how much money you have made for the company. Once you become a liability they will get rid of you.

I'm 54 and I am having the same problem. I went to one of the Florida theam parks and applied for a custodian job and as I was leaving I could hear my application and resume hit the trash can. I double majored in Accounting and Computer Information Systems. I later went back an got my BA degree. I am sub-contracting myself out as a Field Tech instaling computerize cash registers in the major chain stores like Targe, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and others.

If you have the skills to do that type of work, go for it because there is a lot of it around the country.

ok you probably want to start with a scale if your like sometimes you get impatient about certain academicc issues,  dont be afraid to procrastanate a little your experience gives you that edge still my experience came from scool, the thing was i wanted it enough to continue through some prety harsh shit, it can be like too.

trickster311

age 45

Amber, et al.,

Yes, age discrimination is with us for the duration. As I look for work, I cannot help but note the many people out there who do not have work providing them income. It's very sad when we cannot manage to get something to keep us moving in the forward direction. It doesn't say much for regionalized opportunities around the country. Maybe that's why AARP is gathering such a strong following. 

Perhaps the real key is in finding the right climate for work and a series of part time jobs to fill in the gaps. I am told there is a lot of part time work in this area. I'm so glad to make minimum wage after investing so much of my time and energies in obtaining a BS in Info Tech and finishing an MBA. Gosh, it just makes it all worthwhile. 

Hang on ... I think there's a call coming in ... maybe it's a call back from a prospective employer ...

AmberOlsen says ...

Age Discrimination is something that happens to all of us. You should talk to my mother who is 64 today. She went to school with me for web site/graphic design. most people won't even look at her resume. But, keep trying someone will look at your age as an advantage.

 

SUTTONDAVE1 says ...

I am not sure what age that descrimination starts. I think it is somewhere between 40 and 50. However, there are employers that would subcontract work to you once you have proven your abilities. I would keep your existing business and expand on what you have.

Age descrimination starts when an employer figures out he/she can hire two college kids for less than what he's paying you.