Changing jobs?

[Carol35]

What would be considered too old to start looking for a new job for a male?
The husband has started putting his cv out there but he will be 50 this year..he has many years experience in his industry (developer) but I don't know what his chances are in this day and age. Naturally he won't even hint to his current job that he is looking until he actually has something solid lined up if it happens.

Thoughts?

 

[ToxicBunny]

All depends on what he's developing in...

At 50 I would think he would be in life for architect type positions.

 

[Carol35]

Lolz, I have no idea....his cv is filled with a stack of numbers, letters and symbols...total gibberish. The only part that looks remotely readable is his hobbies that reads fishing, outdoors and sports..a total lie, should read "playing Battlefield against teenagers and drinking beer"

Anyhow, guess he won't know if he doesn't try.

 

[jano]

If his tech skills are up to date (I.e. not 50 years old ;-)) and he's good then age shouldn't matter.

 

[pgs]

What would be considered too old to start looking for a new job for a male?

Dead?
If one is capable then go for it!

 

[Messugga]

If his tech skills are up to date (I.e. not 50 years old ;-)) and he's good then age shouldn't matter.

Unless his tech skills are 50 years old and he's really good at COBOL, then the banks will kill for him.

 

[noxibox]

If you have current skills or a proven ability to learn then there's no age limit. There are many jobs where being 50+ will make it nearly impossible to get another, but this isn't one of them.

At 50 I would think he would be in life for architect type positions.

That will only happen if you find the right company.

 

[Cius]

There is demand in SA for developers, especially skilled one's. The issue is at that age your salary may be high if you stuck it out with one company for a long time and matching that salary could be hard. Companies might prefer a new grad or young guy who does not mind coding for peanuts to get some experience. Still, I know people who change jobs at that age or even older. Why does he want to leave his current company if I may ask? Sounds like its a parallel move rather than a promotion that he is looking for?

 

[akescpt]

50 year old coder..your hubby is like a legend! i actually liked cobol and wouldnt mind getting into it again but alas opportunities for that are not many.

good luck to the hubby!

 

[CamiKaze]

There is demand in SA for developers, especially skilled one's. The issue is at that age your salary may be high if you stuck it out with one company for a long time and matching that salary could be hard. Companies might prefer a new grad or young guy who does not mind coding for peanuts to get some experience. Still, I know people who change jobs at that age or even older. Why does he want to leave his current company if I may ask? Sounds like its a parallel move rather than a promotion that he is looking for?

When do you know when you are earning peanuts? Employees are not supposed to discuss salaries and market value does not exist.

 

[cguy]

When do you know when you are earning peanuts? Employees are not supposed to discuss salaries and market value does not exist.

Some tips:
1) When another company offers you 50% more.
2) Many employees do discuss pay with close friends and family, regardless. I don't, but I did when I was younger.
3) Looking at comparative pay (usually some salary ranges) for job postings.
4) Surveys (although there is a lot of variance and bias here)
5) Working in Management allows you to see a real life sample of the pay for the relative skillsets that work for you.

To the OP: Carol, it completely depends on his skillset and level of competency. I have worked with guys over the age of 50 who had not really learned anything since they were 22, and I've worked with guys in their 60's and 70's who were absolutely brilliant software developers, and were similarly regarded by the company. If he is really good, greater age just amplifies that positive impression. If he isn't very good at what he does age will amplify that impression too.

 

[Carol35]

Why does he want to leave his current company if I may ask? Sounds like its a parallel move rather than a promotion that he is looking for?

It is more for money than anything else, he knows he can earn more else where but he is loyal and takes pride in all he has accomplished within this co but it is time to move on before it really is too late...but he has mentioned he would like to try his hand at overseeing the development of projects...he has coders from other companies that look to him for advice so I guess he is respected in his field.

Anyway, I feel a lot better now that he's not quite over the hill yet . We will see what happens..

 

[noxibox]

It is more for money than anything else, he knows he can earn more else where but he is loyal

Being loyal to a company is pointless. Go get more money.

There is demand in SA for developers, especially skilled one's. The issue is at that age your salary may be high if you stuck it out with one company for a long time and matching that salary could be hard.

On the contrary staying with one company for a long time will more likely stunt someone's income.

 

[Cius]

Being loyal to a company is pointless. Go get more money.

The longer I work the more I agree with this.

On the contrary staying with one company for a long time will more likely stunt someone's income.

Depends on the company. I know this is true for many but I also know of many cases where due to specific domain knowledge guys are paid above the industry average to keep them there.