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Comment by iwangulenko | Hacker News Reader

Tech recruiter here in Switzerland; sadly, I can only agree. Ageism is a big problem no one talks about.

Come to the US. It's beyond absurd. Gray hair is considered a sign of a slow, old worker no one wants to hire. Only youth need apply, in spite of experience and wisdom, which counts for nothing.

DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion) extends primarily to (minority) ethnicities, women and nonbinary, religions, and sexual orientations. Age is definitely not a DEI KPI target.

I'm not seeing this right now. I'm almost 42, just laid off, should have three offers this week after only three weeks of looking. I have lots of white hair...I think it's all in the presentation and expectations.

As a foreigner living in Switzerland, having started a PhD at “old” age, please don’t tell me this…

At what age does ageism kick in?

Never undertake a degree without a purpose, e.g., a PhD, unless there's an net positive (amortized) lifetime economic incentive to do so, otherwise it may be a waste of time and money.

It depends on the gray hair count and chin sagging. Fixable with dye, plastic surgery, and other forms of creative, strategic deception. :)

35 and with 45 one is too old to be hired in tech anymore. Eventually as a consultant through some middleman company for a year or so.

I can tell you as someone in that age bracket I have never had more opportunities and a higher paying salary at any other point in my life than right now, without a doubt. Even in the current economic climate I had 3 interviews this week and I'm barely even looking.

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