A few years ago, I was tech lead on a team doing the software for IPTV settop boxes. We were trying to grow the team out and not getting many good candidates for the position.
At one point the best candidate we had was a 60+ year old engineer with a background in compiler development. The skills he demonstrated on whiteboard coding and answering technical questions were not great but acceptable and we figured he should be able to transfer his knowledge to a new line of work.
When he started working he struggled to adapt. He had some health problems that included an organ transplant. After a few months in the role, the stress began to cause his body to reject the transplant.
It's clearl that hiring an older worker can have problems you won't likely see an a 20 year old. If I had to do it again, I would still give this candidate the chance. Every time.
At one point the best candidate we had was a 60+ year old engineer with a background in compiler development. The skills he demonstrated on whiteboard coding and answering technical questions were not great but acceptable and we figured he should be able to transfer his knowledge to a new line of work.
When he started working he struggled to adapt. He had some health problems that included an organ transplant. After a few months in the role, the stress began to cause his body to reject the transplant.
It's clearl that hiring an older worker can have problems you won't likely see an a 20 year old. If I had to do it again, I would still give this candidate the chance. Every time.