Does your age come into consideration when employers consider you for a job (IT related)?

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mAdMaLuDaWg

Platinum Member
Feb 15, 2003
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I've been job hunting for some time now... I'm currently employed full time (by the same company, in the same position, for three years) and I get by with my salary, but I'm just looking for a better opportunity.
I'm only 21 and I'm set to graduate in a year, I've received some calls from employers but they seem less interested in me once they learn of my age.

Recently, I pointed my co-worker to a job posting to which we both applied. My co-worker is 25, has 1 year of experience (who works under me) in the IT field and 4 years working as a Customer Service Rep, and has no college degree where as I have 3 years experience and I'm in college. We both received phone calls from the prospective employer during lunch break and they asked both of us basic information like how long we've been working, relocation etc. Today, my coworker got set up for an interview whereas I got denied. I called them back and they said they need someone who is more experienced with the technology.... I felt like asking them about my co-worker, but I held back thinking it might interefere with his chances of getting a job.

So what is it? Is it because of my age or just because I only started working 3 years ago?
 
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spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
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experience.

Be that life experience, people experience or work experience.

So sure, indirectly it is related.
 
Kadarin

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
Could be both, but age is definitely a factor. Some companies would prefer a certain level of experience an maturity for a position for which they are hiring.
 
K

kt

Diamond Member
Apr 1, 2000
6,032
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Originally posted by: mAdMaLuDaWg
I've been job hunting for some time now... I'm currently employed full time and I get by with my salary, but I'm just looking for a better opportunity.
I'm only 21 and I'm set to graduate in a year, I've received some calls from employers but they seem less interested in me once they learn of my age.

Recently, I pointed my co-worker to a job posting to which we both applied. My co-worker is 25, has 1 year of experience (who works under me) in the IT field and 4 years working as a Customer Service Rep, and has no college degree where as I have 3 years experience and I'm in college. We both received phone calls from the prospective employer during lunch break and they asked both of us basic information like how long we've been working, relocation etc. Today, my coworker got set up for an interview whereas I got denied. I called them back and they said they need someone who is more experienced with the technology.... I felt like asking them about my co-worker, but I held back thinking it might interefere with his chances of getting a job.

So what is it? Is it because of my age or just because I only started working 3 years ago?
Click to expand...

In California, it's illegal for potential employers to ask for your age or any information that reveals your age. It may not be just California that has this law since it's pretty much age discrimination and that should be included in the EOE.
 
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mAdMaLuDaWg

Platinum Member
Feb 15, 2003
2,437
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They never asked me for my age, BTW, but they get an idea once they ask when I graduated from highschool and once they hear my voice.
 
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beer

Lifer
Jun 27, 2000
11,169
1
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Originally posted by: kt
In California, it's illegal for potential employers to ask for your age or any information that reveals your age. It may not be just California that has this law since it's pretty much age discrimination and that should be included in the EOE.
Click to expand...

On a federal level, age discrimination is one of the few criteria on which discrimination is allowed as a matter of judgement.
 
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mAdMaLuDaWg

Platinum Member
Feb 15, 2003
2,437
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Originally posted by: Sysadmin
Holyshiiat when I was 21 I had 9 years of work under my belt ;)


Sysadmin
Click to expand...
Really? Doing what... helping your Uncle grow cotton in the cotton fields?
 
lokiju

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
18,526
5
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I don't think age is an issue, I was doing tech support for Compaq when I have 17, working for the Sheriff Dept's IT dept when I was 19, and the supervisor of the help desk of a aircraft manufacturer from 20-23 so I don't think its an issue, however it is an issue for upper management, that?s reserved for seasoned older people from what I've seen.
 
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mAdMaLuDaWg

Platinum Member
Feb 15, 2003
2,437
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Originally posted by: blazert40
I don't think age is an issue, I was doing tech support for Compaq when I have 17, working for the Sheriff Dept's IT dept when I was 19, and the supervisor of the help desk of a aircraft manufacturer from 20-23 so I don't think its an issue, however it is an issue for upper management, that?s reserved for seasoned older people from what I've seen.
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Well, it seems to me that if you are not past a certain age they don't take you seriously. I asked my current boss if he would be comfortable hiring a 21 year old today, and he said he wouldn't even consider it. When I asked him why he said that he would imagine that they wouldn't have discipline to hold a full time job, he later admitted that his daughter of 21 was responsible for his position ;)
 
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mAdMaLuDaWg

Platinum Member
Feb 15, 2003
2,437
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What age do employers genrally cosider an acceptable age to hire for a fulltime position in IT?
 
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z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
Originally posted by: mAdMaLuDaWg
They never asked me for my age, BTW, but they get an idea once they ask when I graduated from highschool and once they hear my voice.
Click to expand...

your voice??

dont tell me u havent hit pubery yet

:D:D
 
M

mAdMaLuDaWg

Platinum Member
Feb 15, 2003
2,437
1
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Originally posted by: z0mb13
Originally posted by: mAdMaLuDaWg
They never asked me for my age, BTW, but they get an idea once they ask when I graduated from highschool and once they hear my voice.
Click to expand...

your voice??

dont tell me u havent hit pubery yet

:D:D
Click to expand...

ROFLMAO...I sound 21... it could just be me though....
but seriously, everytime an employer calls up they ask me when I graduated from highschool once they see my employment years and my college years being the same.
 
W

Whisper

Diamond Member
Feb 25, 2000
5,394
2
81
Hmm...I'd think that 21 wouldn't be too too young of an age to consider for a full-time position in IT. At least that way they can underpay you at first, and then give you raises as you get older.

Are you sure it's entirely based on your age, or perhaps the other answers that you've been giving to interview questions, and your persona as a whole?
 
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Mookow

Lifer
Apr 24, 2001
10,162
0
0
Originally posted by: Whisper
Are you sure it's entirely based on your age, or perhaps the other answers that you've been giving to interview questions, and your persona as a whole?
Click to expand...

Yes, dont let your potential employers know that you consider users to be evil little trolls that must be thwarted in their quest to use anything you can control as a member of IT.

It's so much better to let your employer find out that little "bonus" aspect after you've been hired. Besides, everyone already knows that users are evil little trolls that must be punished. Especially after they set up their own little DHCP servers and attempt to deny responsibility.
 
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shopbruin

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2000
5,817
0
0
i don't think its more of your age but the fact you're still IN school. being in school you won't be able to be available whenever they want you there. you will have a class conflict or a test conflict or need to study, etc.

the 25 year old, out of school, with no desire to go back is a much more desirable hire because all they will do is work.

plus if they hire you, once you're done with school you will probably bolt and get a better paying job. they'd rather try to hire someone for the long term than to train you to get a better job once you're done.
 
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spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: Mookow
Originally posted by: Whisper
Are you sure it's entirely based on your age, or perhaps the other answers that you've been giving to interview questions, and your persona as a whole?
Click to expand...

Yes, dont let your potential employers know that you consider users to be evil little trolls that must be thwarted in their quest to use anything you can control as a member of IT.

It's so much better to let your employer find out that little "bonus" aspect after you've been hired. Besides, everyone already knows that users are evil little trolls that must be punished. Especially after they set up their own little DHCP servers and attempt to deny responsibility.
Click to expand...

which is why you lock down and don't permit rogue DHCP servers.

;)
 
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