Recruiter asked what year I graduated from college

[Anonymous]

Feels like an alternate way of asking how old.

Am I over thinking? Ageism comes sooner than we realize.

[Anonymous]

did they do it in writing and are the associated with the potential employer?

[Anonymous]

Are they trying to calculate how many years of experience you have? Our HR uses experience bands to propose pay scales.

[Anonymous]

Independent head hunting firm.

[Anonymous]

A search firm shouldn't have asked that but they do all kinds of unethical things. They can ask if you have a degree but not what year you graduated.

[Anonymous]

If they had to ask, that means you didn’t put it on your resume, and that means you’re over 40.
They don’t really even have to ask when your resume is a tell. He’s just trying to figure out if you’re 40s or 50s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they had to ask, that means you didn’t put it on your resume, and that means you’re over 40.
They don’t really even have to ask when your resume is a tell. He’s just trying to figure out if you’re 40s or 50s.

And why would that be? The point is that it is illegal to use an applicant's age for purposes of employment discrimination.

The employer is entitled to how much experience the person has. It's relevant whether an applicant has 20 years experience, but not whether the applicant is 43 or 53. Likewise the employer is entitled to know what degree the applicant holds, but not whether the person graduated in 1995 or 2005.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Feels like an alternate way of asking how old.

Am I over thinking? Ageism comes sooner than we realize.

You’re not overthinking it. I remember my dad telling me about head hunters as well as potential employers doing this in the 80s.

[Anonymous]

I do recruiting and I have to ask because our govt contracts require it on resumes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they had to ask, that means you didn’t put it on your resume, and that means you’re over 40.
They don’t really even have to ask when your resume is a tell. He’s just trying to figure out if you’re 40s or 50s.

I am 35, I dated my master of accounting degree. It’s clear the YOE is 12 years. My undergrad is a no name school I figured it didn’t add much value to have all the details. I have no idea it implies I am over 40.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they had to ask, that means you didn’t put it on your resume, and that means you’re over 40.
They don’t really even have to ask when your resume is a tell. He’s just trying to figure out if you’re 40s or 50s.

I am 35, I dated my master of accounting degree. It’s clear the YOE is 12 years. My undergrad is a no name school I figured it didn’t add much value to have all the details. I have no idea it implies I am over 40.

If you’re only 35 I’d put the undergrad on there. Even if no name, no one cares. Better to have a full shot at all your opportunities than to be knocked off the pile on an assumption. And yes, no grad date = many would infer over 40 and that you’ve just left the early career stuff off the resume.

[Anonymous]

Most Federal applications require this info.

[Anonymous]

It’s none of anyone’s business. I just turned 50. I put 20 years worth of experience on my resume and do not include dates for college degrees. I’ve never been asked that question. I’ve had plenty of interviews and just landed a new job making $200k.

I don’t know if they would have called me if they knew I was 50 or not. But I do excellent work and I interview very well. Also I look younger than I am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s none of anyone’s business. I just turned 50. I put 20 years worth of experience on my resume and do not include dates for college degrees. I’ve never been asked that question. I’ve had plenty of interviews and just landed a new job making $200k.

I don’t know if they would have called me if they knew I was 50 or not. But I do excellent work and I interview very well. Also I look younger than I am.

OP here, in my line of business (about 100 small size funds make up my entire industry), people need to move around every 2-3 years to get more comp and better title. The work itself is the same.
Most of the Dir at those companies made good moves from 27-37 getting various experience under their belt. I just feel like I didn't make the right moves.
Thanks for this message, I will keep searching.

[Anonymous]

"I graduated after my 4th year there"