6 ms·
I wonder if there's a difference between the SF Bay Area and the rest of the country, as far as ageism is concerned in tech.
by ZanyProgrammer 11y ago
I wonder if there's a difference between the SF Bay Area and the rest of the country, as far as ageism is concerned in tech.
- vermooten 11y agoHow about 'the rest of the world'?
- gamesbrainiac 11y agoThe "rest of the world" is probably happy to ride the hype the SF crowd are cooking. I know a bunch of companies here, who use python not because its a good choice, but its "hip" and they can appear cool and sophisticated.
- solve 11y agoHuge difference. CA companies and investors (e.g. YC) specifically require your age to the interviewers. Using YC as an example, many interviewers are happy to publicly boast about using age as primary factor - I can link to to some comments written here on HN. In some other places, e.g. NYC, this is all generally believed to be highly legally-risky and no respectable employer would ever consider doing it. Shame on you CA.
- blisterpeanuts 11y agoCan you provide some links (other than chatboard comments) to substantiate this claim that "CA companies and investors require your age"? https://oag.ca.gov/publications/CRhandbook/ch2 https://oag.ca.gov/publications/CRhandbook/ch2
- solve 11y agoAre you implying that YC doesn't require your age in the interview process? Have you ever even filled out the application form? Let's start with that.
- hga 11y agoFrom https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-muses-successful-application-to-y-combinator-w12 https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-muses-successful-applicat... For each founder, please list: YC username; name; age; year of graduation.... Wow, I wouldn't have expected them to be so blatant. Not illegal, since YC is not hiring people, but, wow.
- djrogers 11y agoI have never been asked my age for a job in the valley, and when I interview others any direction I get regarding age is always to not ask. *source: 13 years of valley employment and performed dozens of interviews
- michaelochurch 11y agoInvestors use age as a primary factor. Companies can't, for the reasons you described.
- pmorici 11y agoIt's the reverse in a lot of places. It's common in the Baltimore / Washington area to base salaries on years of experience, education level, and industry certifications. I've applied for jobs where the first question HR asks is do you have at least 10 years of experience. These jobs pay as good or better in absolute $ terms than any salary range I've ever seen for engineers in the valley and if you look at it from a cost of living adjusted value the valley pays a lot less. My two cents is that preferring young employees has a lot to do with the fact that they will work for a lot less money and put up with housing situations that more mature people wouldn't tolerate.
- arink 11y agoThere was a recent article in the Chicago Tribune about bringing dogs to work with the following quote: "What we're trying to create here, it's lofty, open, we bring in lunch, we hire younger people. Part of creating the vibe is not just the space but the amenities. Bring in your dog." http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/pets/ct-pets-office-animals-0512-20150513-story.html#page=1 http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/pets/ct-pets-office... No idea if that counts as ageism. Is it any worse than mentioning "recent graduate" or "0 - 2 years experience" in your job advertisement?
- orblivion 11y agoIf so, the solution is quite simple: when the time comes, move the hell out of California.