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by ipaddr 835 days ago
A 55 year old job hopper is common. They are sometimes called consultants or they work short term employment contracts. They travel like a 20 year old.

Plus no matter how old you are working for startups means frequent employment changes. Don't be ageist.
1 comments
bruce511 835 days ago
absolutely people "semi retire", they get a few consulting gigs here and there, and earn a bit from that. They're usually very good at what they do and get called in to accomplish a specific task, perhaps one that needs a very special skillset.

That's different to a 55 year old, looking for a permanent position, with a history of job hopping. And to be clear i's not the age that worries me, it's the hopping. I believe a 30-somthing who's looking to "settle down a bit more" - I don't believe a 55 yo with that story.

I follow the idea that when people show you who they are, believe them. As an _employer_ I'm just not excited by people who are around for a couple years, then move on. Assuming there's competition for the post, I'd likely lean towards the one with the better track record (all other things being equal.)

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ipaddr 835 days ago
I understand your point of view. 30 years experience with no more than 2 years you can expect they probably would stay with you for about the same length. A 32 year old with the same track record after a big life change like marriage/baby might change but so might the 55 year old (they might want to settle down as well).

I've gotten feedback you stayed too long and you didn't stay long enough from different employers during the same job cycle. Every employer expects different things.

Curious what do you consider an acceptance length at 55? 3 years, 5 years, 10 years+ vs a 32 year old?

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bruce511 835 days ago
It's not a number - each person's history is unique so its a lot more nuanced than that.

When hiring we're looking for someone who'll fit, someone who will add to the whole. Hiring people is expensive, each new person is a lot of time invested. We want to feel like you'll want to stay for a while.

Getting that feeling is hard, and of course there are no guarantees in life, but we don't treat people as fungible. You are you, and we can't just go down to the supermarket and replace you.

History is no predictor of the future, but it can be a signal.

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