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I'm relatively young, but it baffles me that there's age discrimination is an issue. Do companies think I won't like working with someone who's significantly o

I'm relatively young, but it baffles me that there's age discrimination is an issue. Do companies think I won't like working with someone who's significantly older than me? What's the issue? This is a bit of rhetorical question--I get that there are stereotypes and companies want to build young, hip teams, but personally I find it short-sighted and naive. I'd rather be on a diverse team, age included. If I go for an interview and see that everyone is a white male in the late twenties/early thirties, I'm going to be pretty disappointed no matter how many hipster toys they've got in the lobby. It's a sign that corporate politics and HR are going to be problematic.

geomark 8y ago
There's another issue that I noticed when I was a hiring manager. Some people find it difficult to interview and manage people who are older and more experienced than them. Some feel uncomfortable giving orders to people who are their parents' age. Others feel uncomfortable with people who are much more experienced, maybe smarter than them. A young company with young founders and managers will tend to hire younger people more like themselves.
youhavenoidea 8y ago
Hi zenexer - I'm youngish, fit, and present well. Unfortunately, my hair is greying AND thinning. For years, interviewers have heard my responses while viewing my bare crown. (Barbers told me for many years, "You'll never be bald," as they used thinning shears). Last week a hiring manager said, before introductions, before shaking hands, "This job is for 22 year olds just out of college." He shut the door, literally, seconds after. Consider viewing your HR contacts on LinkedIn then view the "also viewed" profiles. Notice any similarities? These decision makers determine whom you will see when you interview. Thank you for wanting to see different when you visit a company.

geomark 8y ago

There's another issue that I noticed when I was a hiring manager. Some people find it difficult to interview and manage people who are older and more experienced than them. Some feel uncomfortable giving orders to people who are their parents' age. Others feel uncomfortable with people who are much more experienced, maybe smarter than them. A young company with young founders and managers will tend to hire younger people more like themselves.

youhavenoidea 8y ago

Hi zenexer - I'm youngish, fit, and present well. Unfortunately, my hair is greying AND thinning. For years, interviewers have heard my responses while viewing my bare crown. (Barbers told me for many years, "You'll never be bald," as they used thinning shears). Last week a hiring manager said, before introductions, before shaking hands, "This job is for 22 year olds just out of college." He shut the door, literally, seconds after. Consider viewing your HR contacts on LinkedIn then view the "also viewed" profiles. Notice any similarities? These decision makers determine whom you will see when you interview. Thank you for wanting to see different when you visit a company.