[Dilbert San Diego]

You touch on an important point. While age discrimination is against the law, it does occur.

Companies would rather hire someone who is 35, as opposed to someone better qualified who is pushing 55 or 60.

Part of this is because of health insurance. The company health insurance premiums for older workers are higher than for younger. That fact, plus the fact that older more experienced workers would tend to expect higher salaries, combine to cause employers to indirectly prefer younger workers.

And part of it is based on experience. Someone 55 can claim 30 years of experience in some job. Someone 35 can claim 7 to 10 years of experience. To the employer, the 35 year old knows the job too, even though on paper, they have less experience.

The only jobs in which age could be an advantage, would be for executive positions in major corporations, for which someone having had 20 years of increasing responsible experience running major pieces of a company would be beneficial experience.

[Huskrrrr]

I’m an Adjunct Chemistry Professor at two small colleges, located in the bay area. Previously I worked as a staff scientist, with a proven track record and a dozen patents to my credit. After several years at the same company, the doors were closed and all employees were let go. I was in my mid-fifties at that point and in middle management. I applied for many jobs and was given several interviews and then watched as fresh Ph.D. candidates were hired. I moved into teaching, part-time and suddenly I was in demand again. The full-time faculty spots went to the young pups, but I now have seniority as an adjunct and my classes are the first to be filled, students choosing me over most of the established full-timers. I’ve found a niche and am grateful for the work. Now in my sixties, I look forward to working two days a week and still making good money, after several raises.

[Huskrrrr]

I’m an Adjunct Chemistry Professor at two small colleges, located in the bay area. Previously I worked as a staff scientist, with a proven track record and a dozen patents to my credit. After several years at the same company, the doors were closed and all employees were let go. I was in my mid-fifties at that point and in middle management. I applied for many jobs and was given several interviews and then watched as fresh Ph.D. candidates were hired. I moved into teaching, part-time and suddenly I was in demand again. The full-time faculty spots went to the young pups, but I now have seniority as an adjunct and my classes are the first to be filled, students choosing me over most of the established full-timers. I’ve found a niche and am grateful for the work. Now in my sixties, I look forward to working two days a week and still making good money, after several raises.

[Lazamataz]

You touch on an important point. While age discrimination is against the law, it does occur. Companies would rather hire someone who is 35, as opposed to someone better qualified who is pushing 55 or 60. Part of this is because of health insurance. The company health insurance premiums for older workers are higher than for younger. That fact, plus the fact that older more experienced workers would tend to expect higher salaries, combine to cause employers to indirectly prefer younger workers. And part of it is based on experience. Someone 55 can claim 30 years of experience in some job. Someone 35 can claim 7 to 10 years of experience. To the employer, the 35 year old knows the job too, even though on paper, they have less experience.

I can do 5 times the work of a newbie 30-something.