Would you hire a 40 year old Graduate?

FrancieB

Hello,

Just looking for your thoughts on this one. Would you hire a graduate Engineer for a position whos in his early 40's?

leeroybrown

I'm not commenting from my own hiring perspective but based on my experience/opinion from my time in industry a lot of companies who hire 'graduates' like someone inexperienced whom they can mould in their preferred way of working. Mature students with more experience in general mightn't necessarily fit perfectly into their view of how the system works.

I'm sure that there are others out there who can point out situations where companies think differently though.

Tabnabs

I had a 40+ year old guy in my class in college. He had done all the partying, dossing etc. that usually goes on with college students. He was consistently in the top 3 in the class and had a really good attitude to the subjects. I would hire someone like that in an instant. Then there were some "mature" students who dropped out half way through, these guys hadn't grown up and were eternal students.

A good interview will sort these guys out no problem, but I would put him near the top of the potential pile.

Nolanger

he'd have better taste in music than younger people :cool:

leeroybrown

I'll add that despite my above comment I think that any graduate who has good results, is interested in their area and is enthusiastic won't have any more difficulty than normal picking up a job.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

leeroybrown wrote: »

I'm not commenting from my own hiring perspective but based on my experience/opinion from my time in industry a lot of companies who hire 'graduates' like someone inexperienced whom they can mould in their preferred way of working. Mature students with more experience in general mightn't necessarily fit perfectly into their view of how the system works.

I'm sure that there are others out there who can point out situations where companies think differently though.

What if the person in question was working as a mortgage advisor for the past 15 years or that, and is now qualified in Computer Networking, surely they would have very little experience in their new field? They can be molded into the system?


I would have no problem hiring a mature student. The fact that they went back to college, for whatever reason, for four years at the age of 36, shows me that they are very motivated to achieve. It cannot be that easy to go back to college after making a wage for 20 years or that. You know?

leeroybrown

Samantha Lazy Sifter wrote: »

What if the person in question was working as a mortgage advisor for the past 15 years or that, and is now qualified in Computer Networking, surely they would have very little experience in their new field? They can be molded into the system?

I would have no problem hiring a mature student. The fact that they went back to college, for whatever reason, for four years at the age of 36, shows me that they are very motivated to achieve. It cannot be that easy to go back to college after making a wage for 20 years or that. You know

My comment is based on what I've seen in industry myself. I just think that a mature student with 'life experience' falls outside the classic graduate recruitment structure. I don't disagree with you but I think that rightly or wrongly they might find it an issue.

As I said above, I'd look to interview the best candidates and would have no problem with mature student candidates if they had a good attitude.

BostonB

A lot of places value experience and maturity over a younger graduate. At least that was my experience when contracting.