I just got canned from a high-end IT job. I'm 54. Now what?

[TrogL]

[LiberalEsto]

1. Go to Dice.com

one of the best IT job sites. When my husband, a DBA, was laid off a little over a year ago, that's where he looked. He found a job in just a couple of weeks.

Good luck!

[2Design]

2. Canada - at least you have health care - now just to find a job n/t

[DaveJ]

3. Depends...

If you have time, use your skills to create your own software company. Look into agile software development. That is, get lots of things done quickly and to the market. Create things that you yourself would use, even if others don't, that way you have not wasted any time. But don't waste too much time on one project that might not work out. Try to get one project done per month, or faster. I think there are tons of opportunities for more sites on the web. Things are just getting started, IMO.

Also, get to know other people. In interviews mention them. Businesses feel more comfortable thinking you have programmer buddies.

Also, seek a work at home job. Do you have any work you can show online? That would help. There is no reason people should have to go into the office for most jobs anymore especially if you are a programmer.

[HillWilliam]

4. We're in exactly the same boat, sad to say

I'll be 54 in June. Stellar resume, little prospect. Now the question is how long I can hang on to my home.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

5. Sorry. Still looking for a job after over a year (turned 40 last year). I had a temp-to-perm

job that wound up lasting only 2 weeks. I think I got caught up in some bullshit politics, and they're saying I couldn't keep up with the work (which is total crap, considering how they were saying I was doing such a great job.)). I'm wondering if they thought I was too old (worked with 20-somethings).

Now, I'm hoping I can get back on unemployment. Good luck to you.