It sets a minimum level; if you require 10 years of UNIX experience, you're saying you don't want anyone in their twenties (unless faffing about in Linux as a p

It sets a minimum level; if you require 10 years of UNIX experience, you're saying you don't want anyone in their twenties (unless faffing about in Linux as a pre-teen counts as work experience). In your Java example I would be screwed, even if I knew Java inside and out, because I'm only 21. I know it's hard to imagine, with the '30 is fossilized' viewpoint many people have around here, but a lot of companies want to pay young people less money, and so give them less 'senior' positions. There is value in hiring the right person for a position, regardless of age. At my current employer we have some very experienced, knowledgeable staff in their late 40's and 50's. We also have knowledgeable staff who are in their 20's. In my observation they tend to have different strengths, but both bring a lot of value, and it would be foolish to say that the 50-year old deserves more money for having been around longer ( and yes, having a longer track record with the technologies in question ).