Interviewed by someone younger than you?

Zipppy

Hi
A friend of mine in his mid 40s has got an interview coming up for a kinda mid level IT role in a large Irish company..he has an ok job but is seeking better...

He's really concerned as he feels he's 'too old' especially cos the interviewers will probably be in their mid 30s and he'll feel 'stupid'..

I've told him he's daft as they wouldnt offer an interview if they thought he was too old...

Opinions on that? What do interviewers think about interviewing people older than them for jobs below them?

Mr. Loverman

Zipppy wrote: »

I've told him he's daft as they wouldnt offer an interview if they thought he was too old...

Was his age definitely on his CV?

Zipppy wrote: »

Opinions on that? What do interviewers think about interviewing people older than them for jobs below them?

Honestly I can imagine it could be a problem for female managers if it's a much older guy. He may not take her seriously. It's a sexist world...

starlit

The older they are the more experienced they are when it comes jobs and life experience in general so I say he should have nothing to worry about.
Age shouldn't matter when it comes to jobs and its experience as well as qualifications should matter more than age.

fret_wimp2

I have interviewed people older than me and its a non-issue.
As long as everyone is friendly and professional it just shouldnt make a difference.

Interviews are a process by which an interviewer identifies if a candidate is the right person for the job, and the candidate convinces the interviewer they are the person. Thats it.

Age should be no more of an issue than hair color, or the brand of your shoes!

Uriel.

OP after i left school ids a couple of years of college full time and then finished my degrees at night and took up full time employment. I did well, worked hard and had promotions to management positions at a young age, I also worked with a family business and with a multinational at the same time. It meant, at the age of 23 that I wa managing staff and interviewing staff for jobs and promotions.

I was always tw youngest by about 15 years minimum and interviewed and assessed people in their 50s. Age, one way or another was never a factor in my deliberations, the experience, the education and how the applicant etc sold themselves was the only thing i cared about. I would expect that the vast majority of interviewers would be the same.

If notthwy are not good at their jobs.

I expect age will be nothing to worry about in this instance

Zipppy

Well he's well qualified...dont know if age was actually on CV (must find out..) but surely from his education, work experience etc they could deduce that?


Anyhow I like the comments - might show him this, if they are all positive comments :rolleyes:

Mr. Loverman

Zipppy wrote: »

Anyhow I like the comments - might show him this, if they are all positive comments :rolleyes:

Yes!!! My chance to stop him from seeing this thread!!

HE HAS OLD LEATHERY BALLS

Zipppy

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Yes!!! My chance to stop him from seeing this thread!!

HE HAS OLD LEATHERY BALLS

Thanks for that !!

discus

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Yes!!! My chance to stop him from seeing this thread!!

HE HAS OLD LEATHERY BALLS

I haven't come across you on boards til today and that's thrice that I've laughed out loud, genuinely!

I don't think it'll be an issue OP. Remind him that he has years of experience ahead of them.

irishguy

Zipppy wrote: »

Hi
A friend of mine in his mid 40s has got an interview coming up for a kinda mid level IT role in a large Irish company..he has an ok job but is seeking better...

He's really concerned as he feels he's 'too old' especially cos the interviewers will probably be in their mid 30s and he'll feel 'stupid'..

I've told him he's daft as they wouldnt offer an interview if they thought he was too old...

Opinions on that? What do interviewers think about interviewing people older than them for jobs below them?

I have interviewed people quite a bit older than me (in IT), I dont really care how old they are as long as they can do the job. I think IT is very much a meritocracy

PK2008

2 questions I ask myself when interviewing;

Can this person do the job?

Can I (and my team) work well with this person?

Age, sex, race, religion, etc never come into it

ButcherOfNog

Over the years I've interviewed plenty of people older than myself, age makes no difference whatsoever in the decision making process.

John368

Look at it this way, the person interviewing your friend, is more than likely be interviewed by someone younger than him in 10 or 15 years time.

It happens to most of us - we all cannot retire the boss.

murphym7

irishguy wrote: »

I have interviewed people quite a bit older than me (in IT), I dont really care how old they are as long as they can do the job. I think IT is very much a Mediocracy

Fixed that for ya!:D

shoegirl

Its not really relevant. Most companies are fairly careful about who is in the room at the time of the interview so people generally are sensitive about how they treat interviewees.

I did have an experience two years ago where myself and a colleague were asked to talk to a particular candidate and my colleague was an exceptionally poor worker who just shouldn't have been there. As it happened my colleague just asked stupid questions that gave the candidate no chance to show what he knows or give us a chance to assess him. If this happens to you best thing to do is to give a quick two line answer and let the interview move on.

It is a little intimidating alright but in the world of work you have to work with people of all ages so its good to expect it in interviews also.

Zipppy

Coming back to this again ....as it's now my turn...

Im mid 40s, work in Public sector, IT related (managing projects), well educated in Computing (MSc) have a fair amount of IT experience but development experience is limited..

Now Im going for interview with an Irish Company next week for a role that involves all aspects of IT application development..a job I'd LOVE to do

There will be a learning curve involved but I learn IT related matters very quickly...

I'm wondering will I be considered too old for role?

Are they seeking someone early 30s and I'm gonna look silly..age is not on CV but work exp shows my rough age...

John368

Zippy, I am older than you and know the feeling about being too old. On the face of it its unlikely that you will ever get and interview.

It is not just your age, but the fact that you have worked in the public sector for so long. However, you could turn this to your advantage. The company you are applying to might want someone who knows the way the public sector works if they want to sell to that sector. I am not talking about anything underhand or betraying confidentiality, but just knowing priorities the Public sector has.

Also you might be seen as someone who will be a steady worker and a stayer and not someone who will be off in 18 months.

trad

I'm 52 and started a new job last year. All the people who interviewed me were 20 years younger than me. I played on life experience.

In my current role the manager is about 40, my line managers are all under 26, as are most of the staff. It's like working with your kids except you don't have to feed them.

doolox

...Since I am also 52 and looking for a permanent job but I am a part-time entertainer so at least some money is coming in but I would love a full time job to pay for the little extras in life.

At interviews age was never mentioned but I feel it is important to look vibrant and healthy and take more care of yourself. Younger people seem to be able to party all night and look fresh and ready to go next day. You lose this ability as you get older.

Look at what people 10 yrs younger are wearing and keep up -to date but not too up to date, What people in their 20's wear would make a 50 yr old look like a tramp. Unfortunately stubble, like many 20 yr olds wear, or bits of beard, make a 50 yr old also look like a tramp.

The suit or casual dillemma is also easy for 50 yr olds, most people of all ages expect a 50 yr old to wear a suit at all interviews whereas for the younger age-group there are no set rules except perhaps for corporate, graduate or commercial roles. Ties at all interviews would also be the way to go.

I think it is vitally important NEVER to use your age or experience as a weapon to win a argument with a younger colleague, they are not your children and need to be treated totally differently to your own children. It is vitally important to show due respect to managers even if they are half your age and especially if they make mistakes. Leave correcting them, if at all, to a private opportunity when you are alone so thay do not feel like fools in front of the other workers. A 30 yr old taking advice from another 30 yr old is one thing but taking advice in public from a 50 yr old can be humiliating and lead to trouble later on.

Zipppy

trad wrote: »

I'm 52 and started a new job last year. All the people who interviewed me were 20 years younger than me. I played on life experience.

In my current role the manager is about 40, my line managers are all under 26, as are most of the staff. It's like working with your kids except you don't have to feed them.

What line are you in???