Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 304 posts

Re: Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

#31

Post by wild_preference »

rb808 wrote: post #20

I wonder if its ethical to change some of the dates. Eg if you graduated in 1980 it makes it obvious how old you are. If you leave dates blank it kinda doesn't make much difference, but if you said you graduated in 2000 it would mean you get an interview at least. Edit - I get it the issue will come up at some stage. But explaining why you changed the dates later in the process is better than not getting an interview…

Well, surely it's better to leave your integrity up in the air than lie and leave no doubt.

Re: Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

#33

Post by rpoconn1 »

duxup wrote: post #8

Heck I'm only over 40. I did a handful of interviews at places where folks who I went to school with also interviewed. I got a lot of "culture" questions. My younger classmates, did not hear the world "culture" in their interviews, ever. It's hard not to be pessimistic and assume "culture" was about age...

BTW, That's happening to everyone. Think about Uber, which was toxic because they didn't try to foster a good culture.

Welcome to the "culture" wars.

Re: Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

#34

Post by rb808 »

docker_up wrote: post #22

Anything more than 10 years old on your resume is worthless. Yes, you may have 3 STEM undergrad degrees, but no one cares because it's not relevant anymore. What modern technologies have you recently worked with? What does your resume show, 20 years at the same company, or do you have experience at well-known, "prestigous" companies like FANG? Are you pigeon-holed into a specific area, or are you a generic, back-end…

> rolodex of former coworkers that I routinely have lunch with still and can ask for jobs, etc

Yeah this is an important thing everyone should be doing. I used to be shy about this but everyone is in the same boat and most do appreciate a quick drink or meal every few years to network, even if you're not friends.

Re: Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

#35

Post by joewee »

joewee wrote: post #17

Speaking from experience you need two resumes (I’m much younger, but with a long career). One that’s management focused and one that’s developer focused. Use the appropriate resume for the role you are applying for. Even though I’m a hands on engineer people didn’t want to consider me for roles because I had management experience and they thought the engineering role would be too boring, and vice versa. Reduce your r…

Also, don’t give salary requirements. I imagine you’re more interested in the work than the money. I am, and I make it clear that salary won’t be the determining factor, but people will assume because of your experience you are going to be too expensive. I would be happy to look at your resume if you want some more feedback.

Re: Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

#36

Post by RangerScience »

poulsbohemian wrote: post #30
joewee wrote: post #17

Speaking from experience you need two resumes (I’m much younger, but with a long career). One that’s management focused and one that’s developer focused. Use the appropriate resume for the role you are applying for. Even though I’m a hands on engineer people didn’t want to consider me for roles because I had management experience and they thought the engineering role would be too boring, and vice versa. Reduce your r…

So if you've been in and out of management and technical roles (like myself), how do you make those gaps between two resumes not look like gaps? Or, do you simply address it in interviews when asked?

He said not to put dates on degrees, but could you also not put dates on jobs, just durations?

Re: Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

#37

Post by duxup »

rpoconn1 wrote: post #33
duxup wrote: post #8

Heck I'm only over 40. I did a handful of interviews at places where folks who I went to school with also interviewed. I got a lot of "culture" questions. My younger classmates, did not hear the world "culture" in their interviews, ever. It's hard not to be pessimistic and assume "culture" was about age...

BTW, That's happening to everyone. Think about Uber, which was toxic because they didn't try to foster a good culture. Welcome to the "culture" wars.

I fear culture is just a variable for "my personal / our group bias".

Re: Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

#38

Post by vincentmarle »

You need to focus your USP (unique selling proposition) and gear it towards the position you’re applying for, and yes this may mean you need multiple resumes (as a forcing function, try sticking to 1 page).

When I interview you I don’t really care about the hundreds of things you can do or have done, I only care about the one thing I’m interviewing you for. The oldest person in my team is close to 60 years old and works as a developer next to 20-30 something year olds (doesn’t do any management or VP-ing or whatever on the side). You need to be OK with that and the fact that your boss may be 20-30 years younger than you.

All I remember from his interview is that he had more than 10 years of specific development experience for the job he was applying for. That’s impressive and not something that a younger developer can easily beat you too.

Re: Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

#39

Post by klaw123 »

mchannon wrote: post #4

One theory: The Bay Area has become seriously ageist. Many people have a hard time accepting working for someone a generation younger than them, and especially hiring a subordinate a generation older than them. The people reviewing your resume and interviewing you won't say it (they're not allowed to by law) but they'll definitely be thinking it, and it ends up being a huge waste of your time. I genuinely think it's…

There are companies that take this the other way. Companies where everyone is over 40 and has kids. And stability of the prod systems is highly prized. Nobody wants hackathons , we all leave at 5:30pm each day. These companies exist in Bay Area.

Re: Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

#40

Post by ajaalto »

Use this as your application, don't write anything else:

My summary: 35 years in Silicon Valley; 3 STEM undergrad degrees, MS in AI from Stanford, PhD in AI from a top-10 program; ICPC champion; always considered to be an elite programmer; very current knowledge; constant employment; wide variety of skills; management experience with small teams; very stable life; no vices; very healthy and energetic; I get along with everyone and like working in teams.

Post reply on HN