To be hurt that DS2 thinks I am too old to get a decent job

[OneHandFlapping]

Because all the employers will want a "young, dynamic, ambitious person, rather than someone who wants to just fill a gap in the accounts".

How can someone who is not yet 15 manage to put their finger on ageism in the workplace with such accuracy?

How can my lovely son, who I worship, think I am such an old fuddy duddy?

And will I ever manage to convert my crappy CV into one that will get me back into the workplace?

Be confident. Not entitled, but calmly expectant.

My DS(9) told the hairdresser that he wanted to be a hairdresser when he grew up ......but that of course she would be dead by then! . Further discussion elicited he thought she and I were born in Victorian times!!!!!

Bloody kids thinking we are ancient

Disclaimer - DS is autistic!

Here you go - took me all of 5 minutes to find that.

You take advice from a 14 year old boy?
I have one of these and he knows absolutely nothing.
He asked me on 31st December if I had ever done anything for NYE. You little git - I had a life before kids you know!
When I was 14 I couldn't guess the age of anyone between the ages of 30 and 70 - they were just old
The job market is difficult whoever you are. There are record numbers of young people of young people out of work.

why not try contracting as an IT project manager through an agency? The market for contractors is quite buoyant right now. HTH

My DH's business deals with a lot of HR professionals, so you can tell your son that most employers nowadays would much rather have an experienced, mature employee with a sense of responsibilities, than a whiny school leaver/recent graduate who has to be given detailed instructions for every single task and then spends half the day mucking around on Fadgebook!

Many employers also secretly love women who've already completed their families: they're focussed, they're organised, they get the work done without fannying around (as they need to leave on time) and they have serious bills to pay, so they're committed to the job. Don't sell yourself short!

MamaGeek, actually I used to work as a contract IT project manager - and was extremely good at it. However, it is 18 years since I last did that, and arrogant though I can be, I don't feel I could currently walk in and do a good job at it. I would very much like to again though.

Employers of contractors are rather prone to wanting someone who has just finished exactly the same project, and loathe to pay contract rates for someone who isn't at the top of their game.

I did contact one agency, and when they had finished laughing they managed to ask me to send in my CV so they could file it in the round filing cabinet . Needless to say, I never heard from them again.

Anyway, I am feeling much more buoyant after all your comments. I don't normally take advice from 15 year olds, but that remark just got me near the bone.

If you are looking to do a website for a charity, you could try looking at newly registered ones on the CHarities commission website. We registered a charity toward Seth end of least year and we still haven't got our website live yet (hopefully not far off) but we would have loved to get an offer!

Very simple questions though.
Hasn't IT changed hugely over the last 18 years and have you managed to keep up with all the changes in your field?

Why on earth take any notice of what your 14 year old DS says/thinks .

However, it does sound like you have low self esteem - there are so many charities desperate for volunteers, I can't believe that you can only find voluntary work in a shop or shaking a tin - call charities and local organisations (CAB/Scouting/Church - whatever your interest is). Tell them what you do, get involved ! If you have basic accountancy/IT skills you could easily be a Treasurer or get involved in the IT side if that is more your thing. It may lead to paid employment but it would certainly give you experience.

I am involved with a lot of different organisations as a volunteer and the constant cry is for more skilled people - please offer your help .

I know courses are expensive, and a lot of them are money for old rope (I'm still outraged by the utter crapness of one I had to go on - central London for 4 days so the whole thing was ££££ - thank goodness work paid for it) but have you made sure you've got the essentials?

I imagine some of the jargon (IT and PM) has changed over the years; studying or even just reading about current methodologies might help you sound more up-to-date when you apply for jobs.

I'm going to PM you btw :)

I have been considering updating my skills by undertaking training in one of the bigger ERP systems - the one I used to work on has long since disappeared into IT history.

However, the outlay will be of the order of £2k, and there seem to be very few entry level positions advertised - most jobs seem to want 3+ years of experience, so I'm a bit reluctant to spend the dosh and then not use the skill. Losing £2k would hurt. I might have to just take the plunge.

I foresee cold calling in my future - something I truly dread. I may come across as not lacking self esteem, but really my confidence in this area is at an all-time low.