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> Devs in there 40's and 50's are probably the most valuable devs on earth. Over 50 seeker here (25+ years experience, first IC then mgmt). All of hiring manag

> Devs in there 40's and 50's are probably the most valuable devs on earth. Over 50 seeker here (25+ years experience, first IC then mgmt). All of hiring managers I've dealt with this time around are at least 10 years my junior, and they disagree with you. They view me as a risk (higher compensation, less "hungry", higher "flight risk") and prefer people their age or younger. Don't call it ageism though, that's just how the world works :(

throw111424 2y ago
They want people to be passionate about whatever but in my experience the younger guys/gals are so preoccupied with themselves or some process that they spend endless hours discussing it instead of just getting some shit done.
nickd2001 2y ago
As someone similar age, if I was job-seeking like you, then if a younger potential boss gave these vibes, I'd be up-front. Seems to me salary can't increase for ever. Sure, more experience may lead to better design decisions which save employers a fortune. However, it's kind of opaque. "Best devs on earth" may be true, but doesn't mean its obvious to management. Maybe they won't pay a higher salary immediately than to a 30-yr-old, but they'll give you a reward later if they can see how much you helped them. Flight risk? Ask 'em about it, how can you ease that fear - generally that comes down to career history - if you look like a job-hopper that can be a problem but its not specifically age-related, right? Less hungry? Well again not sure that's age-related. If they're a sweatshop I suppose they might feel they can push younger ones around more, but who wants to work there anyway? Good luck :)
- ChrisMarshallNY 2y ago
  From what I can see, kids out of college, are being paid more than I ever made, at the peak of my career (and they seem to have less to show for it). Speaking only for myself, I would have been fine, taking a lower salary, if the work (and work environment) were interesting to me. I also would not have been interested in flitting around, looking for pay bumps. I was already set. In fact, I suspect that someone like me (and I am sure there are many others, much like me, and likely, far more qualified), could be an absolute Godsend to a startup.
- bluefirebrand 2y ago
  > Maybe they won't pay a higher salary immediately than to a 30-yr-old, but they'll give you a reward later if they can see how much you helped them I don't think most companies behave this way. Maybe at one point they did, but I find the reward for doing great work is "That's why we hired you" Yeah maybe you get a yearly raise and a bonus but it never is big enough to make up for taking a lower salary

throw111424 2y ago

They want people to be passionate about whatever but in my experience the younger guys/gals are so preoccupied with themselves or some process that they spend endless hours discussing it instead of just getting some shit done.

nickd2001 2y ago

As someone similar age, if I was job-seeking like you, then if a younger potential boss gave these vibes, I'd be up-front. Seems to me salary can't increase for ever. Sure, more experience may lead to better design decisions which save employers a fortune. However, it's kind of opaque. "Best devs on earth" may be true, but doesn't mean its obvious to management. Maybe they won't pay a higher salary immediately than to a 30-yr-old, but they'll give you a reward later if they can see how much you helped them. Flight risk? Ask 'em about it, how can you ease that fear - generally that comes down to career history - if you look like a job-hopper that can be a problem but its not specifically age-related, right? Less hungry? Well again not sure that's age-related. If they're a sweatshop I suppose they might feel they can push younger ones around more, but who wants to work there anyway? Good luck :)

ChrisMarshallNY 2y ago
From what I can see, kids out of college, are being paid more than I ever made, at the peak of my career (and they seem to have less to show for it). Speaking only for myself, I would have been fine, taking a lower salary, if the work (and work environment) were interesting to me. I also would not have been interested in flitting around, looking for pay bumps. I was already set. In fact, I suspect that someone like me (and I am sure there are many others, much like me, and likely, far more qualified), could be an absolute Godsend to a startup.
bluefirebrand 2y ago
> Maybe they won't pay a higher salary immediately than to a 30-yr-old, but they'll give you a reward later if they can see how much you helped them I don't think most companies behave this way. Maybe at one point they did, but I find the reward for doing great work is "That's why we hired you" Yeah maybe you get a yearly raise and a bonus but it never is big enough to make up for taking a lower salary