Apart from a period of three years when I was seriously ill, I have worked in IT continuously in the UK for many years until April 2002.
I am a well-qualified IT contractor with a proven track record of success with several written letters of commendation, having produced software fit for export. I have been without work for just over a year. Despite my very best efforts, I have had two interviews, neither of which secured employment. My CV attests that I have worked for blue-chip clients in chemicals, computing, telecommunications and utilities over many years, and its contents are true and verifiable - portraying a fair, not exaggerated picture.
I was dismissed before the end of my last contract; I had given over four years of good service to the company. Fair enough!
Though I am reasonably fit, mentally agile and competent, the outlook looks particularly bleak, since I am 54 years old. This is seen as a heinous crime in some circles. Believe me when I tell you that I am not ready to stack shelves in B&Q yet!
I should like to continue working, as I have no desire to retire. I don't want to be a part of the retirement ghetto culture that has been cultivated of late. I have no need of government exhortations to work, since I want to continue while I am able to do so. In any event, my pension fund is practically worthless, so I must go on if I can and if circumstances will permit.
I have noticed a disturbing trend to overspecify jobs excessively. Presumably this is aimed at cutting down the numbers of applications that are received. One job I spotted wanted three years experience in a particular product. It had only been released for 6 months, so anyone who applied for that job had to lie about experience.
No response comes from my many applications for lower-paid permanent jobs. The phone does not ring; agencies pay scant attention to what is said when I phone them. Their disinterest is a sign of the times. I know from experience that IT is cyclical with a downturn every 10 years.
Even though I have studied new technologies during my unwelcome break, I suspect that I shall remain unemployed for many more months, as I see no sign of a change in the market or the attitude of employers. This is sad but true. I wonder how many more people there are like me in a similar predicament that is unlikely to have a quick resolution. What a terrible waste of people this is and a damning indictment of our superficial society.
Has anyone seen any quantitative study how much better software is performing since the personnel departments started to sack the older personnel and began to hire only younger people?
Personally I would have thought that they would benefit from a range of ages - getting the best of both worlds!
Slashdot Mirror
Apart from a period of three years when I was seriously ill, I have worked in IT continuously in the UK for many years until April 2002.
I am a well-qualified IT contractor with a proven track record of success with several written letters of commendation, having produced software fit for export. I have been without work for just over a year. Despite my very best efforts, I have had two interviews, neither of which secured employment. My CV attests that I have worked for blue-chip clients in chemicals, computing, telecommunications and utilities over many years, and its contents are true and verifiable - portraying a fair, not exaggerated picture.
I was dismissed before the end of my last contract; I had given over four years of good service to the company. Fair enough!
Though I am reasonably fit, mentally agile and competent, the outlook looks particularly bleak, since I am 54 years old. This is seen as a heinous crime in some circles. Believe me when I tell you that I am not ready to stack shelves in B&Q yet!
I should like to continue working, as I have no desire to retire. I don't want to be a part of the retirement ghetto culture that has been cultivated of late. I have no need of government exhortations to work, since I want to continue while I am able to do so. In any event, my pension fund is practically worthless, so I must go on if I can and if circumstances will permit.
I have noticed a disturbing trend to overspecify jobs excessively. Presumably this is aimed at cutting down the numbers of applications that are received. One job I spotted wanted three years experience in a particular product. It had only been released for 6 months, so anyone who applied for that job had to lie about experience.
No response comes from my many applications for lower-paid permanent jobs. The phone does not ring; agencies pay scant attention to what is said when I phone them. Their disinterest is a sign of the times. I know from experience that IT is cyclical with a downturn every 10 years.
Even though I have studied new technologies during my unwelcome break, I suspect that I shall remain unemployed for many more months, as I see no sign of a change in the market or the attitude of employers. This is sad but true. I wonder how many more people there are like me in a similar predicament that is unlikely to have a quick resolution. What a terrible waste of people this is and a damning indictment of our superficial society.
Has anyone seen any quantitative study how much better software is performing since the personnel departments started to sack the older personnel and began to hire only younger people?
Personally I would have thought that they would benefit from a range of ages - getting the best of both worlds!