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Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

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Ask HN: Over 60 = no engineering jobs?

#1

Post by anonOver60 »

I'm curious - what are engineering managers seeing on my resume that makes them apparently routinely reject my resume? 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.

I've been applying for everything from senior engineer to VP of engineering. Ever since I turned 60 last year, I'm getting no hits on my resume. And yes, I still code (the first and most common question I get) and I still love it. If you were hiring, can you tell me why you might not even do a phone interview? I need to know what (mis)perceptions I apparently need to overcome.

Thanks!

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

#3

Post by d4n0ct »

Not in HR myself, but maybe they are looking for candidates that would stay with the company for a longer time. It may also be easier to persuade/manage younger minds or groom them for leadership positions.

Why are you job hopping, if you don't mind me asking?

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

#4

Post by mchannon »

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 a locale thing. I've found work outside the area to be as high-paying and fulfilling, but without the casting couch feel to the interviewing process. In particular, look to large, legacy established companies trying to stay relevant. Many of them recognize the value of experience and pay accordingly.

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

#6

Post by ilikehurdles »

Are you putting most recent projects/employers/accomplishments/awards front-and-center? With dates?

Maybe the education section reveals your age and pre-biases hiring managers. Put it nearer to the end so they see most recent work first.

Do you have many short stints or other classic red flags?

Also not a hiring manager.

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

#8

Post by duxup »

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...

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

#9

Post by echelon »

I'm in Atlanta, and I work for a SF-based tech company. Most of my coworkers are in their 40's and 50's, and a few are 60. In Atlanta nobody cares about age or background. We also have way more diversity by almost every measure - when I fly out to SF, people look and act the same way.

I don't bat an eye when I interview someone older than me. I expect that I'll probably learn a thing or two.

Message me. If you've got that kind of experience, I can get you an interview.

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