>As the title says and my contract is running out - am I too old to go job hunting ? ( this is a serious question but feel free to wax lyrical )

Pete;

A serious part of the equation of job hunting is your attitude towards yourself, and not to let others put you down. Be positive and have a serious plan. How is your skill set? Are you up with the latest as far as what the industry wants? If not, jump in and get busy!

In 1993 I met a fellow who had just turned 60 and his hair was white. He had just completed his Masters Degree in business. They told us to not indicate when we graduated from college as that would give away our age. So he disobeyed the “rules” and indicated his date of graduation (a few months earlier) and died his hair black. He got the job interview and also got the job! We cheered him because he thought outside of the box.

You can consider looking for a “permanent job” (is there still such a thing?) or become a consultant. Be sure that you have an updated resume and look at what skills are being requested. I can give anyone a lot of ideas how to go about this business. In fact I have helped dozens of people by pointing them in the right direction. Something I appreciate is helping others and especially enjoy it when they come back to me to tell me thank you for helping them.

Another thing to consider is changing job fields. I went from electronics engineering to programming. Always keep an open mind. Be sure that you have a good network of friends and people in your career field.

Forget the preconceived notions that others believe in as if it were a religion. Here in Silicon Valley they have told us for thirty years, “If you are over 40, nobody wants you”! There are companies that actually have that attitude but I avoid them!

There are those “friends” that will tell you to forget looking for a job. Your are over the hill. You are of no value. Just do not believe them and stay around positive people. Looking for a job is a full time job in itself.

Tom in "Lovely Silicon Valley"