Youth Disadvantage?
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Anonymous
| Please help me overcome the fact that I am younger than many of the people I work with. In particular, I've been passed over for jobs which I know I'm highly qualified for and I fear it may have to do with perceptions I am too young. People at work seem fixated on my age which really bothers me. Whether or not that's the case, I'm looking for advice on how you have overcome age discrimation, seen others do it, or any other advice that might help a relatively young (30) female professional. FWIW, I rarely socialize at work and dress and act highly professionally. |
Anonymous
| There is no age discrimination for 30 year olds. If this is just your best guess why you are being passed over, it might not be reason at all. You need to sit down with your boss and talk about your career plans and ask for their feedback. Ask what you need to do or improve on to be promoted to the next level. |
Anonymous
Thank you. I hope that's the case. When I've asked for feedback, my supervisors (not the hiring officials) have always told me I'm doing everything I need to be doing to get promoted. The positions have always gone to individuals older than myself. My theory might be faulty but if we assume it to be true, I'd still be interested in any advice. |
Anonymous
Do these individuals have the same credentials as you, but more experience? If you are in an organization where everyone's skills are the same and the main differentiator is years of experience, you will probably face this situation for a while until there are more junior people and you become the one with more years of experience. If years of experience is a factor in considering candidates, it's not discrimination, it's choosing the right person for the role. Also, does your organization consider seniority when promoting? Do you work for the government? Btw I don't say this to be mean, just that as a hiring manager, years of experience is usually an important consideration. |
Anonymous
Yes, I do work for the government. No offense taken. You may be right that it's simply years of experience and that "my time will come," as many of my mentors have said to me. I guess when I hear years of experience, I don't necessarily think that's a great factor since I know many people with much more experience than me but who are simply less capable. But, I'm biased... |
Anonymous
| Time will take care of it sooner than you think. You'll be wondering about being too old for jobs before too long... |
Anonymous
| I have the same issue. I graduated super young and have more work experience than many of my older peers. I LOOK very young and that doesn't help. |
Anonymous
| Did you work for the same people in another capacity? For example, were you an intern or secretary while you went to college then were promoted when you graduated? |
Anonymous
This |
Anonymous
| Often times (and I am not saying this is the case), the younger people devalue the more experienced employees...for example, I had a technical problem at work...I was called in to help someone else...they were stuck. I looked at this, and immediately understood the problem, and the solution, because we solved a very similar problem 20 years ago.... |
Anonymous
| I feel strongly that age discrimination does occur for those who are young. I agree years of experience matter, but so does ability to get the job done and having current and up-to-date expertise in a specific field. Those are not age dependent. Its disheartening to see people who are not as capable and not as knowledgeable move up simply due to age. It's even worse when there is some arbitrary "years of experience" requirement without taking into account what a position actually does |
Anonymous
lol It's not your age; it's your experience - or maybe other factors, too . . . |
Anonymous
| This is the case for me too, also in gov. I'm 33 and easily the most competent person in my office. I think you have to find a boss who appreciates raw talent, not age. You may need to change jobs. I dont know that there's any other way to overcome it than vote with your feet. |
Anonymous
think about this long and hard. once you hit 40 you will be making a large income and finding another job will be more difficult. once you hit 50 you will be hanging on to your current job for dear life hoping another 30 something doesn't can your ass to replace you with a younger version. I much rather be where you are at than in the 50 plus crowd. |
Anonymous
How can you work for the government and seem completely clueless about the pecking order? It's Uncle Same, not the Silicon Valley. |