Over the hill at 40?

Age discrimination legislation was introduced in the UK last October. But banks are still struggling to take it on board.

"The majority of IT professionals working on front-line services in banking are under 35," claims a partner at one city recruitment firm, who asked to remain anonymous. "If you're over 40 in this industry, there's a perception that you're over the hill."

The young profile of IT workers is partly down to the nature of the banking industry, comments Andrew Blades, business development director with IT recruitment agency Anson McCade. "It's an industry that attracts very young, ambitious people and there is quite a high burn-out rate, so you don't find quite as many older professionals in the business."

However, if you're able to hold out until your 40s, Blades says the likelihood is you'll remain in the banking sector indefinitely. "It's almost impossible to get out of this business, people like the money," he says. Older IT workers tend to find themselves working in back-office functions or as consultants, where their experience is sought after.

The best advice for jobseekers aged 40+ is to ensure your their skills are absolutely up-to-date, adds Jane Harper, a partner in recruitment firm Harper HR. "The good news is that the IT industry is more skills-oriented than any other business, and if you have the right skills then you will be able to find a position," she says. "In the list of requirements for any IT job, the technical skills will always be a bigger priority than personality, people skills - or age."