Ask HN: Consider 25yo for senior dev position • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Consider 25yo for senior dev position

#11

Post by aanm1988 » Fri, Apr 07, 2017, 12:12 AM UTC

smt88 wrote: post #4

1) In the US, this post indicates illegal discrimination. I know you're anonymous, but you should be pretty certain that no real-world employee can find this post. 2) Hire him on a contract basis for a month or two. Pay him what you'd pay a senior dev of whatever age. Evaluate him on the progress of the product, and have a trusted external party audit his work (if you yourself aren't technical enough). 3) Stop thinki…

1. Thought that was only if you were over 40.

2. Don't be surprised if he says no, he'd rather not get strung along for months. Seriously, why would someone ever accept this type of arrangement if they have sought after skills?

Re: Ask HN: Consider 25yo for senior dev position

#12

Post by ParameterOne » Fri, Apr 07, 2017, 12:56 AM UTC

codr4life wrote: post #10

swtf wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So it's safe to assume you'd say no since they lack in the life experience section correct?

Correct. Assuming senior still means someone who leads/mentors; then yes, I have a hard time seeing a 25yo having the kind of perspective needed. I'm turning 40 any day now; not the Travis Boober kind of 40, the real one; and imagining me leading anything at 25 is a scary thought.

I'm going to agree and disagree. I agree with life experience but some from the men and women from the armed forces are very strong leaders at young ages. I was self employed before the age of 25 with a small number of employees but what I learned is that a stronger leader will usually never follow a weaker leader so depending on who you are leading you may or may not survive in the position. Your interviewer may be thinking about who is on the team while deciding. And you will most likely have a shorter rope until respect is earned. Personally I would hire anyone at any age as long as they produced the desired results ages 16-99+

Re: Ask HN: Consider 25yo for senior dev position

#13

Post by swtf » Fri, Apr 07, 2017, 1:47 AM UTC

codr4life wrote: post #10

swtf wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So it's safe to assume you'd say no since they lack in the life experience section correct?

Correct. Assuming senior still means someone who leads/mentors; then yes, I have a hard time seeing a 25yo having the kind of perspective needed. I'm turning 40 any day now; not the Travis Boober kind of 40, the real one; and imagining me leading anything at 25 is a scary thought.

I have to say yes, I have been mentoring and in fact leading the project. I can't disagree with the fact that hiring a 25 yo as a senior is scary.

Re: Ask HN: Consider 25yo for senior dev position

#14

Post by swtf » Fri, Apr 07, 2017, 1:52 AM UTC

ParameterOne wrote: post #12

codr4life wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Correct. Assuming senior still means someone who leads/mentors; then yes, I have a hard time seeing a 25yo having the kind of perspective needed. I'm turning 40 any day now; not the Travis Boober kind of 40, the real one; and imagining me leading anything at 25 is a scary thought.

I'm going to agree and disagree. I agree with life experience but some from the men and women from the armed forces are very strong leaders at young ages. I was self employed before the age of 25 with a small number of employees but what I learned is that a stronger leader will usually never follow a weaker leader so depending on who you are leading you may or may not survive in the position. Your interviewer may be…

I started my professional experience at 18 I have indeed been through the struggle of proving myself to older members of the team who at first disapproved. Although now I feel like I know how to handle these situations.

Re: Ask HN: Consider 25yo for senior dev position

#15

Post by swtf » Fri, Apr 07, 2017, 1:54 AM UTC

aanm1988 wrote: post #11

smt88 wrote: post #4

1) In the US, this post indicates illegal discrimination. I know you're anonymous, but you should be pretty certain that no real-world employee can find this post. 2) Hire him on a contract basis for a month or two. Pay him what you'd pay a senior dev of whatever age. Evaluate him on the progress of the product, and have a trusted external party audit his work (if you yourself aren't technical enough). 3) Stop thinki…

1. Thought that was only if you were over 40. 2. Don't be surprised if he says no, he'd rather not get strung along for months. Seriously, why would someone ever accept this type of arrangement if they have sought after skills?

I agree

Re: Ask HN: Consider 25yo for senior dev position

#16

Post by ParameterOne » Fri, Apr 07, 2017, 2:27 AM UTC

swtf wrote: post #14

ParameterOne wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm going to agree and disagree. I agree with life experience but some from the men and women from the armed forces are very strong leaders at young ages. I was self employed before the age of 25 with a small number of employees but what I learned is that a stronger leader will usually never follow a weaker leader so depending on who you are leading you may or may not survive in the position. Your interviewer may be…

I started my professional experience at 18 I have indeed been through the struggle of proving myself to older members of the team who at first disapproved. Although now I feel like I know how to handle these situations.

Yup, there it is, life experience. Just think how much more you will have in 10 years. Another thing you want to decide for yourself is...do i want the senior dev title, the senior dev position or the senior dev money and why. The answer to that could set you free.