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Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

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Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#1
Well, it's been a while since I touched this theme. 6 years ago, I launched a job board trying to fight ageism in tech (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20252097)

It did super well in terms of upvotes and comments but not $ speaking (made $0)

This seems to be a current problem but what's the solution?

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#2
Job boards aren't the problem. The problems begin and end within the boundaries of companies. ATS, recruiter, hiring manager, 6 30-60 minute interviews. Those things are the problem.

If I had the money I could go hire a half dozen solid software engineers and at least 2 solid DevOps/SRE types today. I'm betting people in other fields could do the same.

And yet, good people remain unemployed and scared.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#3
Yes, when 50 years old applies as a senior engineer, 25 years old senior engineers get uncomfortable. You might not notice it in any public conversation, but there is still a resistance:

   * will they be on-call?
   * can they work long hours?
   * how do I delegate to them?
   * are they going to resist new tech?

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#4
A lot of it involves masking and blending in by the candidate

You can easily find an older person ranting against the idea of using full stack javascript, unaware of the V8 changes while still having some valid criticisms

But then wonder if their rejection is ageism, instead of the rant

just one example

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#7
post #4

A lot of it involves masking and blending in by the candidate You can easily find an older person ranting against the idea of using full stack javascript, unaware of the V8 changes while still having some valid criticisms But then wonder if their rejection is ageism, instead of the rant just one example

I think staying curious and keep learning regardless of your age is key. You don't really want to be stuck in whatever tech was popular during your 20's or 30's and ignore or reject whatever is new.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#8
post #4

A lot of it involves masking and blending in by the candidate You can easily find an older person ranting against the idea of using full stack javascript, unaware of the V8 changes while still having some valid criticisms But then wonder if their rejection is ageism, instead of the rant just one example

I can provide more than just one example to back up any prejudice you can think of.

Treating a person as part of a group is the problem.

And when you are trying to isolate one person out of many, like for a job hire, it's not easy to avoid mass-filtering to speed it up.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#9
Multiple issues. One of them is reluctance of younger hiring managers to hire older people. At 35 you don't necessarily see advantages that hiring 50 year old will bring you, as you don't have experience to be able to see that.

Not sure if there is a "solution" for that as a 35 yo hiring manager will probably have an easier time managing under-35 individual contributor comparing to a 50 yo one. Different perspectives, experiences, etc. So by hiring younger IC the manager makes a correct decision. Sucks for us older folks but that's life.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#10
get work done, look younger and slice off the first 5 years of your experience because it is "not relevant". I look about 10-12 years younger so I am able to slip under the radar but it makes me wonder how my peers who look visibly their age fare? The job market is london, sector: Hedge funds, asset mangement tech etc.
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