In tech job descriptions, does “N+ years of experience” usually mean more N than +? [on hold]
I often see tech (software development) job descriptions with tricky requirements such as:
N+ years of experience with X, Y or Z.
Does it usually mean, "We want a person with about N years of experience. Could be 1-3 years more or less than N. But not really more than that. But we are not legally allowed to say that older people need not apply. So we'll let you figure it out, wink-wink."?
Personally, common sense tells me that this is the case. If they think that a certain amount of experience is enough, they would not be happy to pay significantly more for even more experience, even if the over-experienced person is willing to work for less than his experience dictates (since they would assume he would be unhappy with this job).
In my own personal experience, if I had a chance to ask interviewers what the N+ years actually means, they always were on the defensive and claimed they would be happy for an even much more experienced person. But in reality, I have never seen a company who owns the project (not "consulting"/bodyshop) willing to hire for senior positions a person with twice or more years of experience than in the job description (usually 5-10 years).
job-search job-description discrimination
asked Mar 25 at 18:12
raptrapt
15016
put on hold as primarily opinion-based by NotMe, JimmyB, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, jcmack Mar 26 at 2:37
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
|
show 1 more comment
I often see tech (software development) job descriptions with tricky requirements such as:
N+ years of experience with X, Y or Z.
Does it usually mean, "We want a person with about N years of experience. Could be 1-3 years more or less than N. But not really more than that. But we are not legally allowed to say that older people need not apply. So we'll let you figure it out, wink-wink."?
Personally, common sense tells me that this is the case. If they think that a certain amount of experience is enough, they would not be happy to pay significantly more for even more experience, even if the over-experienced person is willing to work for less than his experience dictates (since they would assume he would be unhappy with this job).
In my own personal experience, if I had a chance to ask interviewers what the N+ years actually means, they always were on the defensive and claimed they would be happy for an even much more experienced person. But in reality, I have never seen a company who owns the project (not "consulting"/bodyshop) willing to hire for senior positions a person with twice or more years of experience than in the job description (usually 5-10 years).
job-search job-description discrimination
asked Mar 25 at 18:12
raptrapt
15016
put on hold as primarily opinion-based by NotMe, JimmyB, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, jcmack Mar 26 at 2:37
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
1
I'm trying to figure out the question here... So far it looks like you are just throwing out an opinion.
– NotMe
Mar 25 at 18:14
1
I think the question is if asking for 5+ years of experience is code for 'we don't want the olds to apply'
– thursdaysgeek
Mar 25 at 18:16
1
Why would requesting 5+ years of experience mean that they're ok with having less than 5 years of experience but not more? That's literally the exact opposite of what it says.
– EJoshuaS
Mar 25 at 18:32
Many job postings have a certain salary range attached internally, even if that is not part of the posting. It depends heavily on the company how flexible they are about salary expectations that meet the, say, N+20 years of experience one applicant may have.
– Alexander
Mar 25 at 18:35
I don't think your anecdotal observations (there aren't any companies hiring people with significantly more experience) reflect a causality. Maybe there are more less-experienced people being hired because there are vastly more of them applying? I could turn your scenario around: As a hiring manager, if I post asking for 5+ years of experience, I might get 100 resumes with 4 - 6 years of experience for every 1 I get who has 10+ years.
– dwizum
Mar 25 at 18:36
|
show 1 more comment
I often see tech (software development) job descriptions with tricky requirements such as:
N+ years of experience with X, Y or Z.
Does it usually mean, "We want a person with about N years of experience. Could be 1-3 years more or less than N. But not really more than that. But we are not legally allowed to say that older people need not apply. So we'll let you figure it out, wink-wink."?
Personally, common sense tells me that this is the case. If they think that a certain amount of experience is enough, they would not be happy to pay significantly more for even more experience, even if the over-experienced person is willing to work for less than his experience dictates (since they would assume he would be unhappy with this job).
In my own personal experience, if I had a chance to ask interviewers what the N+ years actually means, they always were on the defensive and claimed they would be happy for an even much more experienced person. But in reality, I have never seen a company who owns the project (not "consulting"/bodyshop) willing to hire for senior positions a person with twice or more years of experience than in the job description (usually 5-10 years).
job-search job-description discrimination
asked Mar 25 at 18:12
raptrapt
15016
I often see tech (software development) job descriptions with tricky requirements such as:
N+ years of experience with X, Y or Z.
Does it usually mean, "We want a person with about N years of experience. Could be 1-3 years more or less than N. But not really more than that. But we are not legally allowed to say that older people need not apply. So we'll let you figure it out, wink-wink."?
Personally, common sense tells me that this is the case. If they think that a certain amount of experience is enough, they would not be happy to pay significantly more for even more experience, even if the over-experienced person is willing to work for less than his experience dictates (since they would assume he would be unhappy with this job).
In my own personal experience, if I had a chance to ask interviewers what the N+ years actually means, they always were on the defensive and claimed they would be happy for an even much more experienced person. But in reality, I have never seen a company who owns the project (not "consulting"/bodyshop) willing to hire for senior positions a person with twice or more years of experience than in the job description (usually 5-10 years).
job-search job-description discrimination
job-search job-description discrimination
asked Mar 25 at 18:12
raptrapt
15016
asked Mar 25 at 18:12
raptrapt
15016
edited Mar 25 at 18:15
rapt
asked Mar 25 at 18:12
raptrapt
15016
asked Mar 25 at 18:12
raptrapt
15016
asked Mar 25 at 18:12
raptrapt
15016
15016
put on hold as primarily opinion-based by NotMe, JimmyB, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, jcmack Mar 26 at 2:37
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
put on hold as primarily opinion-based by NotMe, JimmyB, IDrinkandIKnowThings, gnat, jcmack Mar 26 at 2:37
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
1
I'm trying to figure out the question here... So far it looks like you are just throwing out an opinion.
– NotMe
Mar 25 at 18:14
1
I think the question is if asking for 5+ years of experience is code for 'we don't want the olds to apply'
– thursdaysgeek
Mar 25 at 18:16
1
Why would requesting 5+ years of experience mean that they're ok with having less than 5 years of experience but not more? That's literally the exact opposite of what it says.
– EJoshuaS
Mar 25 at 18:32
Many job postings have a certain salary range attached internally, even if that is not part of the posting. It depends heavily on the company how flexible they are about salary expectations that meet the, say, N+20 years of experience one applicant may have.
– Alexander
Mar 25 at 18:35
I don't think your anecdotal observations (there aren't any companies hiring people with significantly more experience) reflect a causality. Maybe there are more less-experienced people being hired because there are vastly more of them applying? I could turn your scenario around: As a hiring manager, if I post asking for 5+ years of experience, I might get 100 resumes with 4 - 6 years of experience for every 1 I get who has 10+ years.
– dwizum
Mar 25 at 18:36
|
show 1 more comment
1
I'm trying to figure out the question here... So far it looks like you are just throwing out an opinion.
– NotMe
Mar 25 at 18:14
1
I think the question is if asking for 5+ years of experience is code for 'we don't want the olds to apply'
– thursdaysgeek
Mar 25 at 18:16
1
Why would requesting 5+ years of experience mean that they're ok with having less than 5 years of experience but not more? That's literally the exact opposite of what it says.
– EJoshuaS
Mar 25 at 18:32
Many job postings have a certain salary range attached internally, even if that is not part of the posting. It depends heavily on the company how flexible they are about salary expectations that meet the, say, N+20 years of experience one applicant may have.
– Alexander
Mar 25 at 18:35
I don't think your anecdotal observations (there aren't any companies hiring people with significantly more experience) reflect a causality. Maybe there are more less-experienced people being hired because there are vastly more of them applying? I could turn your scenario around: As a hiring manager, if I post asking for 5+ years of experience, I might get 100 resumes with 4 - 6 years of experience for every 1 I get who has 10+ years.
– dwizum
Mar 25 at 18:36
1
1
I'm trying to figure out the question here... So far it looks like you are just throwing out an opinion.
– NotMe
Mar 25 at 18:14
I'm trying to figure out the question here... So far it looks like you are just throwing out an opinion.
– NotMe
Mar 25 at 18:14
1
1
I think the question is if asking for 5+ years of experience is code for 'we don't want the olds to apply'
– thursdaysgeek
Mar 25 at 18:16
I think the question is if asking for 5+ years of experience is code for 'we don't want the olds to apply'
– thursdaysgeek
Mar 25 at 18:16
1
1
Why would requesting 5+ years of experience mean that they're ok with having less than 5 years of experience but not more? That's literally the exact opposite of what it says.
– EJoshuaS
Mar 25 at 18:32
Why would requesting 5+ years of experience mean that they're ok with having less than 5 years of experience but not more? That's literally the exact opposite of what it says.
– EJoshuaS
Mar 25 at 18:32
Many job postings have a certain salary range attached internally, even if that is not part of the posting. It depends heavily on the company how flexible they are about salary expectations that meet the, say, N+20 years of experience one applicant may have.
– Alexander
Mar 25 at 18:35
Many job postings have a certain salary range attached internally, even if that is not part of the posting. It depends heavily on the company how flexible they are about salary expectations that meet the, say, N+20 years of experience one applicant may have.
– Alexander
Mar 25 at 18:35
I don't think your anecdotal observations (there aren't any companies hiring people with significantly more experience) reflect a causality. Maybe there are more less-experienced people being hired because there are vastly more of them applying? I could turn your scenario around: As a hiring manager, if I post asking for 5+ years of experience, I might get 100 resumes with 4 - 6 years of experience for every 1 I get who has 10+ years.
– dwizum
Mar 25 at 18:36
I don't think your anecdotal observations (there aren't any companies hiring people with significantly more experience) reflect a causality. Maybe there are more less-experienced people being hired because there are vastly more of them applying? I could turn your scenario around: As a hiring manager, if I post asking for 5+ years of experience, I might get 100 resumes with 4 - 6 years of experience for every 1 I get who has 10+ years.
– dwizum
Mar 25 at 18:36
|
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
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oldest
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While it's possible there could be some age discrimination going on, it's impossible to know.
It's also possible that a company does not want to spend the money and time involved to get a guy that will stay for a few months and leave. It costs a lot of money to onboard. They could want a guy that will stick around for awhile, so they want someone qualified, but not overly qualified so they lose said new hire too quickly.
As an example...I recently did a phone interview with an organization 2 states away. They asked me how long I'd plan on staying. They were thrilled when I said that I'm looking for a place I can settle down in and stay for the next 20+ years until I retire. They are not professionals, and they don't care to go through the hassle of the hiring process again anytime soon. They don't want the guy that will only view it as a stepping stone to something bigger and better.
answered Mar 25 at 18:55
KeithKeith
2,4072416
add a comment |
In my experience, asking for N+ years of experience has little to nothing to do with how much they're paying and everything to do with how many years of experience you actually have in the field or in a particular specialty.
A company is going to pay what they're going to pay for a particular position. Your years of experience probably has little to no influence on that.
answered Mar 25 at 19:21
joeqwertyjoeqwerty
2,121515
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
While it's possible there could be some age discrimination going on, it's impossible to know.
It's also possible that a company does not want to spend the money and time involved to get a guy that will stay for a few months and leave. It costs a lot of money to onboard. They could want a guy that will stick around for awhile, so they want someone qualified, but not overly qualified so they lose said new hire too quickly.
As an example...I recently did a phone interview with an organization 2 states away. They asked me how long I'd plan on staying. They were thrilled when I said that I'm looking for a place I can settle down in and stay for the next 20+ years until I retire. They are not professionals, and they don't care to go through the hassle of the hiring process again anytime soon. They don't want the guy that will only view it as a stepping stone to something bigger and better.
answered Mar 25 at 18:55
KeithKeith
2,4072416
add a comment |
While it's possible there could be some age discrimination going on, it's impossible to know.
It's also possible that a company does not want to spend the money and time involved to get a guy that will stay for a few months and leave. It costs a lot of money to onboard. They could want a guy that will stick around for awhile, so they want someone qualified, but not overly qualified so they lose said new hire too quickly.
As an example...I recently did a phone interview with an organization 2 states away. They asked me how long I'd plan on staying. They were thrilled when I said that I'm looking for a place I can settle down in and stay for the next 20+ years until I retire. They are not professionals, and they don't care to go through the hassle of the hiring process again anytime soon. They don't want the guy that will only view it as a stepping stone to something bigger and better.
answered Mar 25 at 18:55
KeithKeith
2,4072416
add a comment |
While it's possible there could be some age discrimination going on, it's impossible to know.
It's also possible that a company does not want to spend the money and time involved to get a guy that will stay for a few months and leave. It costs a lot of money to onboard. They could want a guy that will stick around for awhile, so they want someone qualified, but not overly qualified so they lose said new hire too quickly.
As an example...I recently did a phone interview with an organization 2 states away. They asked me how long I'd plan on staying. They were thrilled when I said that I'm looking for a place I can settle down in and stay for the next 20+ years until I retire. They are not professionals, and they don't care to go through the hassle of the hiring process again anytime soon. They don't want the guy that will only view it as a stepping stone to something bigger and better.
answered Mar 25 at 18:55
KeithKeith
2,4072416
While it's possible there could be some age discrimination going on, it's impossible to know.
It's also possible that a company does not want to spend the money and time involved to get a guy that will stay for a few months and leave. It costs a lot of money to onboard. They could want a guy that will stick around for awhile, so they want someone qualified, but not overly qualified so they lose said new hire too quickly.
As an example...I recently did a phone interview with an organization 2 states away. They asked me how long I'd plan on staying. They were thrilled when I said that I'm looking for a place I can settle down in and stay for the next 20+ years until I retire. They are not professionals, and they don't care to go through the hassle of the hiring process again anytime soon. They don't want the guy that will only view it as a stepping stone to something bigger and better.
answered Mar 25 at 18:55
KeithKeith
2,4072416
answered Mar 25 at 18:55
KeithKeith
2,4072416
answered Mar 25 at 18:55
KeithKeith
2,4072416
answered Mar 25 at 18:55
KeithKeith
2,4072416
2,4072416
add a comment |
add a comment |
In my experience, asking for N+ years of experience has little to nothing to do with how much they're paying and everything to do with how many years of experience you actually have in the field or in a particular specialty.
A company is going to pay what they're going to pay for a particular position. Your years of experience probably has little to no influence on that.
answered Mar 25 at 19:21
joeqwertyjoeqwerty
2,121515
add a comment |
In my experience, asking for N+ years of experience has little to nothing to do with how much they're paying and everything to do with how many years of experience you actually have in the field or in a particular specialty.
A company is going to pay what they're going to pay for a particular position. Your years of experience probably has little to no influence on that.
answered Mar 25 at 19:21
joeqwertyjoeqwerty
2,121515
add a comment |
In my experience, asking for N+ years of experience has little to nothing to do with how much they're paying and everything to do with how many years of experience you actually have in the field or in a particular specialty.
A company is going to pay what they're going to pay for a particular position. Your years of experience probably has little to no influence on that.
answered Mar 25 at 19:21
joeqwertyjoeqwerty
2,121515
In my experience, asking for N+ years of experience has little to nothing to do with how much they're paying and everything to do with how many years of experience you actually have in the field or in a particular specialty.
A company is going to pay what they're going to pay for a particular position. Your years of experience probably has little to no influence on that.
answered Mar 25 at 19:21
joeqwertyjoeqwerty
2,121515
answered Mar 25 at 19:21
joeqwertyjoeqwerty
2,121515
answered Mar 25 at 19:21
joeqwertyjoeqwerty
2,121515
answered Mar 25 at 19:21
joeqwertyjoeqwerty
2,121515
2,121515
add a comment |
add a comment |
1
I'm trying to figure out the question here... So far it looks like you are just throwing out an opinion.
– NotMe
Mar 25 at 18:14
1
I think the question is if asking for 5+ years of experience is code for 'we don't want the olds to apply'
– thursdaysgeek
Mar 25 at 18:16
1
Why would requesting 5+ years of experience mean that they're ok with having less than 5 years of experience but not more? That's literally the exact opposite of what it says.
– EJoshuaS
Mar 25 at 18:32
Many job postings have a certain salary range attached internally, even if that is not part of the posting. It depends heavily on the company how flexible they are about salary expectations that meet the, say, N+20 years of experience one applicant may have.
– Alexander
Mar 25 at 18:35
I don't think your anecdotal observations (there aren't any companies hiring people with significantly more experience) reflect a causality. Maybe there are more less-experienced people being hired because there are vastly more of them applying? I could turn your scenario around: As a hiring manager, if I post asking for 5+ years of experience, I might get 100 resumes with 4 - 6 years of experience for every 1 I get who has 10+ years.
– dwizum
Mar 25 at 18:36