Lack of "Management Grey" in my hair

[MysticLlama]

Any ideas on how to get around this? It's already killed me in a couple of in-person interviews when I was already the front runner after the phone ones.

The most recent was for an IT Manager position, 4 employees, good pay, good location.

The competitor had the same length of time in IT as I do (about 11 years), same management time (about 7 years), and the same general experience overall.

The only major difference was the amount of direct reports. I have 1-2 through the year and a mix of contractors and consultants, giving me a total of 4-6, while he had 4-6 direct reports.

It was basically told to me by the recruiter, that I got 2nd place due to being younger, in not so many words. All of the staff that I interviewed with were older than me, including a couple that'd be peers and one guy that'd I'd be managing.

So what do I do to get around this? They don't seem to carry the right color of dye at Hot Topic .

Overdress for the occasion? Don't shave for two days?

I have three options in play right now, so any tips would be helpful.

By the way, I'll be 28 next week, FWIW.

[JeremyD]

over dress for the interview (IE more formal, conservative) more relaxed demeanor - like you could care less about getting the job....

Last but not least is more rapport building at the start of the interview - ask person centric questions about the interviewer.

I find most younger folks jump into the interview - the older ones tend to build more common ground first.

[cashflyer]

Many people do not like the idea of having a yoot managing people who are his senior. They believe that an age-resentment will develop, that there will be a general lack of respect due to the perceived lack of experience, and that the hot women will jump in the sack with you for promotional consideration.



Okay... I just threw that last one in.

[masraum]

Originally posted by cashflyer
and that the hot women will jump in the sack with you for promotional consideration.

Damn, maybe I need to reconsider a management position. No one is panting to jump on the tech guys.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The last thing you EVER want to do on an interview is act like you're desperate for the job. A "casual interest" approach has always landed me the best offers.

[MysticLlama]

Yeah, I have the casual interest thing down. It's not much of a problem when I've had my current position for 5+ years, since I don't need the job to eat.

I also have about a 25% callback rate on resumes I submit, and finish 75-80% of phone interviews with being asked to come in. The market is decent right now, and it's very difficult to hire for the positions I'm considering.

I've also been not bending to schedules, partially because I'm too busy at work, and partially so they have to come to me, and have been up front about having limited time when I have stacked interviews, like two that I had on Monday.

I've been dressing nice, but not over the top, button up shirt, black pants, nice shoes, etc. I'd just go ahead and add a tie, but a lot of these places are the type where you might score okay with a tie with the management guys, but the other guys will think you look silly or are trying too hard, and since you have to interview with 4-6 people, the balance is tough.

[Cdnone1]

Streaks and tips grey hair spray. Spray it onto a comb and give yourself a little salt and pepper. Washes right out
Steve

[MysticLlama]

Heh, I'll have to try it. I still just don't look nearly old enough to have grey hair, but it'd be a kick to see what it looks like at least. Maybe for Halloween or something.

[Cdnone1]

Your lucky. I was complete salt and pepper by your age and it did help when I had people much older than me working for me
Steve

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by masraum
Damn, maybe I need to reconsider a management position. No one is panting to jump on the tech guys.

WORD!

[MysticLlama]

Originally posted by scottmandue
WORD!

Since I have this covered should I tell them it wouldn't be a problem at the office?

Even when I do go grey it won't be real obvious with super blond hair. Oh well.

Didn't figure I'd still have so much trouble with it once my experience crossed 10 years, not the first time I've had the too young problem though.

[cstreit]

Be grumpy and difficult to work with in the interview. Reschedule at least once and get up twice in the interview to use the bathroom.

(apologies to everyone, I had to. )

[MysticLlama]

Originally posted by cstreit
Be grumpy and difficult to work with in the interview. Reschedule at least once and get up twice in the interview to use the bathroom.

(apologies to everyone, I had to. )

Would this actually work... I'm not a programmer.

[id10t]

MysticLlama - it will also work if you are a mainframe operator (especially if formerly employed as field tech by IBM) or a *nix admin, or especially a *nix on IBM big iron admin. Or if you are working in education.

[MysticLlama]

Nope, none of those.... not old enough for that mainframe stuff

[HardDrive]

I think you need to speak with a british accent, and say 'lovely' about every 3 words. Also, bring a walking stick, and wear a bowler hat. If the interviewer is female, make sure you kiss her hand.

Regardless of the technology they ask about, come back with, "I invented that."

"What you know about IPv6?"

"Know about it? I invented it!"

[89911]

Funny!

[ben parrish]

Re-think your attire for the interview. I know that the "casual look" is accepted by most workplaces but if you look at the top person, they will always dress well. If you want to be taken seriously, dress like it. There is always time to adjust to the style of the office once you get the job.
Buy a good suit; spend more than $500 and have it tailored to fit you. Dark colors are best; skip the pinstripe unless it is very faint. White or light blue shirt WITHOUT collar buttons and do NOT buy one with French cuffs. Nice, simple silk tie; not too loud. Quality, conservative shoes with a matching belt and watch. Make sure your watch metal and belt buckle match. Skip the hair gel and cologne.
Wear the suit and shoes a few times to “break it in”. Have the suit cleaned and pressed and the shoes polished before the interview.

I have interviewed people many times. I NEVER hired a manager or someone that had professional credentials that dressed slovenly. Poor dress for an interview screams that you do not have either the exposure or where-with-all to assess a situation for what it is.

All that said, I go to work in shorts and a golf shirt every day.

Good luck.

[fintstone]

When I interview a potential manager, I wear a suit. If I am interviewing you, I don't need a job, so if I put more effort into prepping for it than you do....you are probably screwed unless you convince me that you are so brilliant that you can overcome a little bad judgement.
Unless you have an in...or are already well known to the manager...many managers I know consider someone interviewing in less than a suit a sign of disrespect, even if the actual work later is in a casual atmosphere. If you want to look older and more conservative, at least wear a tie and make sure that you look like it is not the first time you have worn one (tied right with a shirt with the right neck size...not too tight in the collar...like you could wear it all all day). One way to look older is to wear conservative shoes. Wingtip styles are the best for this.

[svandamme]

do more drugs, you'll age faster and have a head start on any one else.... make sure to party the night before the interview, and drink Screwdrivers to keep going ... plan the interview in the early morning...

worked for me ( and yes to the fancy suit, get the right suit , not boring, not mobster/vegas, not maintstream and the right shoes with leather soles...

off course, i was 23 , got hired, but had zero management skills, sucked bigtime at managing and finally told them to go bollocks

hey , gotta try anything at least once , no !?