Any of you fellow old guys successfully get hired by a young company?

[LeeH]

I've been self employed for all but 2 of the last 20 years. Sort of tired of what I've been doing. I've been thinking about what might be next for a while. LinkedIn suggested a job that I wasn't interested in, but that lead to me finding a job at the same company that did sound interesting.

They hold tours once a month. Did that before applying. While at their location it struck me that everyone there looked to be around 25 years old.

Had a phone interview last week. That went well enough and I'll have another on Monday. If that goes well, I'll have an in-person interview. I have lots of experience in the most important part of the job, but I'm trying to figure how to make my 51 year old self seem relevant to a bunch of 20 somethings.

[Por_sha911]

Went through that when I started with a new industry after 20 years in the previous one. Everyone at the new place was 10-20 years younger than me other than one or two exceptions.

Pay close attention to what they wear. Don't date yourself by over-dressing. stress skills and accomplishments as opposed to experience. Be yourself and be relaxed and they will follow your lead.

[vash]

how fast can you grow a beard?

and skinny jeans.

. i seriously dont know, but wanted to post.."good luck!"

[1990C4S]

I was at Tesla a few weeks ago, the oldest person I saw there was about 40...

The only people older than 40 were contractors installing equipment.

[Seahawk]

I have very recent experience.

I met these guys when I was the CEO of a company I tried to save but ended up putting in a chapter bankruptcy.

Leadership - Aerolab

The Chief of Design from the old company I closed went to work for them and we (me, the former Chief of Design and the owner of Aerolab) have formed a separate company to work in the transportation sector - think aero skirts on semi's only our stuff much more muy bueno.

My experience with the young guys has been very positive: If you have something to bring to the enterprise all is well.

I am very good at not pretending to be something I am not, which I am sure you are as well. Nor am I self deprecating: It works for me as a high mile human and seems to resonate with the 30 year-olds.

[Seahawk]

I have very recent experience.

I met these guys when I was the CEO of a company I tried to save but ended up putting in a chapter bankruptcy.

http://www.aerolab.com/about/leadership/

The Chief of Design from the old company I closed went to work for them and we (me, the former Chief of Design and the owner of Aerolab) have formed a separate company to work in the transportation sector - think aero skirts on semi's only our stuff much more muy bueno.

My experience with the young guys has been very positive: If you have something to bring to the enterprise all is well.

I am very good at not pretending to be something I am not, which I am sure you are as well. Nor am I self deprecating: It works for me as a high mile human and seems to resonate with the 30 year-olds.

[porsche4life]

Lee. Just be you. If being you won't get you hired, you will hate you life working there.


The good news is, you are a pretty cool dude! It sounds like you've got the skills they are looking for, so you should be a good fit. Just be friendly and get to know them.



Or.... Take some cookies to the interview!

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by vash

how fast can you grow a beard?

I usually make it a point shave on the first of every month... whether I need to or not.

We'll see how it goes. I'm not doing a big shotgun job search. This just came up and sounded interesting. Corporate culture is laid back to an extreme, and the location is all of 15 minutes from my house on a bad day.

If I get to the in person phase, I will have to review some of their online media for fashion guidance. Probably should have changed my LinkedIn profile pic to one without the suit.

[porsche4life]

What company is it lee? You can text me if you don't want to say here

[crustychief]

If they want to interview you , you are pretty much in. I agree with being yourself.
I work for a large military contractor, the people I work directly with are 10 + years younger, most of them are ex-special operators. They hired me because you can't magically teach experience. My guys are great and I get the old man jokes and other hazing but they are appreciative of what I bring to the table

[Scott R]

Some of this might be industry specific, however at the major aircraft manufacturer that I work for we have very few people under 40. In fact if I saw a younger person at work I would likely think they were an intern.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by LeeH

I have lots of experience in the most important part of the job, but I'm trying to figure how to make my 51 year old self seem relevant to a bunch of 20 somethings.

Discuss your experience. You have 30 years of experience that they do not have. You should interview them, as well. Have them explain to you why you should work there.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

I have and only last week and I got the job...

Be yourself, don't dress up as a hipster, sell yourself by explaining what you see your key skills are give examples by describing relevant past experience and explain how you see this can help them.

You have something they want but can't buy by employing a young guy and don't under sell yourself in fact go for the opposite approach and state that x amount of $ has been spent over the years for my resume to look like it does.

If they have to big an ego and or too arrogantfor them to see the value you will bring not just with you doing the job but by how much the younger guys can learn from you then its not a company you would probably want to work for so their loss not yours.

Don't be afraid to ask plenty of question the more you can work out what it is exactly they are looking for the more you can target which parts of your skills and experience to highlight.

[aigel]

How you dress and carry yourself makes a big difference for sure, so make sure you are not overdressed and don't tell any "in the old days we used to do it this way" stories, or how far you are from retirement. Make sure they understand you are "all in" on the job and not just playing along because it is a convenient location or you need medical insurance etc. Definitely do NOT tell them what you told us, that you aren't really looking broadly and that you just thought this was a neat job ...

That's all I can help with. IMHO energetic old guys are a great addition to any team. I speak from when I was young.

G