Returning to work (can I get a job back in IT?)

[disposableme]

I left my last job back in 2008, in software development (financial services). I'm now nearly 60, and would quite like to return to work, but have a hopelessly outdated tech skillset (Cobol, Oracle mainly) , as well as a rather lengthy career break on my cv.

What are my chances of getting a job back in IT, and what field should I focus my energies on to have a realistic chance of getting a role? I'm not hugely bothered by salary, or, to a degree, location. Obviously need to break through any barriers relating to my apparent age and employment history.

I know 'IT' is a broad church, but I'm not necessarily set about returning to dev, would be equally happy giving BA, service desk, networks, even testing (well, not sure about that one) a go. Something to get me through the next 5 or so years.

Anybody have any hints/tips/training suggestions(have the time and budget to get some certs if really necessary) - or even, god forbid- leads.

thanks.

[bmwmike]

Cobol and Oracle still used in financial services so i'd focus there, and maybe speak to some recruiters about contract work?

Apart from new buzzwords like agile, and shift left, you'll probably find its not changed all that much

[bigandclever]

You could do a COBOL refresher and fall back on the 'I may be a giffer but I've forgotten more than you know' approach

https://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/default.aspx?q=cobol

[rxe]

The technology market is absolutely red-hot at the moment, so you are trying at the right time.

When you say "Oracle" - do you mean "DBA" or "knows PL/SQL + data modelling". The latter hasn't changed since 2008, the former will need a refresher to get you up to speed on 19. Though to be honest, the fundamentals are the same (I last drove Oracle at Version 7 and it still works for me,,,)

I would have thought you could get something that is probably "a bit beneath you" in the Oracle space in minutes with a recruiter. If it was one with the potential for advancement, then once your memory comes back ( :- ) ), you'd move forward.

You'd probably find something in COBOL, but I haven't been involved in that for a few years!

[Richyvrlimited]

networks would be tricky, I'd strike that off your list unless you're willing to to a lot of training off your own back beforehand. The fundamentals are the same, but as you'd expect the tech has moved on a hell of a lot.

Unless you've had lots of prior experience you're going to struggle to get a foot in the door in that particular field.

[mr_spock]

If you’ve done anything in mainframe ops I may have a lead for you. CICS, MVS, Z/OS etc.

[E63eeeeee...]

https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/in...

Absolutely loads of stuff in here, there will be some legacy tech you might be able to pitch for directly, but if you're open to stuff like BA or Service Management and have a flexible enough CV and some transferable skills (or do a couple of one/ two day certs) the general standard of applications is abysmal so you'd have a decent chance. I'd seriously consider getting yourself some entry level Agile qualifications too. Even places that are only pretending to do Agile will expect you to know the basics.

[DWDarkWheels]

mr_spock said:

If you’ve done anything in mainframe ops I may have a lead for you. CICS, MVS, Z/OS etc.

CICS. Oh, that brings back memories.

[Pit Pony]

As an aside what have you done for 14 years ?

[biggiles]

DWDarkWheels said:

mr_spock said:

If you’ve done anything in mainframe ops I may have a lead for you. CICS, MVS, Z/OS etc.

CICS. Oh, that brings back memories.

Same. OP, those mainframes from 2008... they're still there and as critical as ever.

[CobolMan]

Don't worry about outdated skills, in the last 4 years, my team has taken on 3 graduates and 9 apprentices, all of whom are doing Cobol. There are several other teams in the organisation (one of the biggest banks in the world) who have done the same. Where are you based OP, we may have something suitable?

[fourstardan]

I'd apply for roles with oracle skills.

Not everyone is going to Azure/AWS yet, some shops will have oracle forms/apex apps for at least 5 years.

[Deep Thought]

I did some work for a large online retailer who would very much see themselves as on the cutting edge RE: their tech and what they do and their backend systems were all on old versions of Oracle. They really struggled to get people in to manage the databases too.

I'd be checking out Jobserve etc, and plugging in Oracle as the search and see what happens.

[Networkgeek]

I've worked in IT for 10 years now, and there is a strong demand for people with old DB skills. You would be amazed at how many businesses still run out of date tech, which I'll be honest, I have no interest in learning, as do a lot of my colleagues. IT folk have a tendency to want to only learn the new shiny stuff, as it's seen as 'cool', the old tech (in my experience) takes a back seat.

As others have suggested, look at IT job boards and search for Oracle etc skills.

Best of luck

[UnaAllan]

Hi! Even if you are 60 years old and have not worked in this field for more than 10 years, I am sure that you will be able to get a job in the IT field. Most likely, at first, you will be paid less, and maybe you will work for a less developed company, but over time, it will give you a better and better-paid job. What is important is the experience you have had since you were young. Many companies pay attention to your work experience in any company in any field. That's why I'm looking for jobs for 14 year olds on https://arrestyourdebt.com/jobs-for-14-year-olds/ so that my daughter can gain experience and not have problems with employment in the future. So don't worry, you will be able to return to work. I wish you good luck!

Edited by UnaAllan on Friday 25th February 18:47

[bmwmike]

Sign up for a free tier with AWS and Azure and check out the managed DB services too - RDS etc. Worth being aware of all that stuff and its free to test out and have a play etc.