In response to my previous post about Google's interview process, one Dr. Gene A. Nelson left a comment starting with:
As an experienced American citizen programmer with a Ph.D., I hope that you recognize that the real purpose of these "tests" is to discriminate on the basis of age and national origin - specifically to discriminate against older American citizens in favor of "fresh (inexpensive) young blood" from places like India and Communist China. Why?? So that the corporate owners reap higher profit margins.
That's an interesting claim, but I tend to be slow to buy in to conspiracy theories. Further thoughts?
I'd say that just because someone has a Ph.D doesn't mean they can't be full of it.
Dittos on that Mark.
But age discrimination IS rampant. I expect it to be the big complaint in the next few years. At 62, I’m ahead of the curve, but as the Baby Boomers start hitting 60 next year many of them will be pissed. Sure many will want to retire, but some will want to stay productive for a while longer.
I completely disagree with the conspiracy theory. Every tech company wants to their new hires to bring in fresh ideas and technical competence. That's what they're paying for, so if a 20-year-old coding whiz can compete with a 45-year-old seaoned programmer in all skills applicable to the job, then they each should receive the same pay, period.
The real conspiracy comes from the Affirmative Action crowd that wants to enforce proportional representation of all ages, races, genders, and religions, regardless of technical competence.
Why would anyone think that "equal wage without regard to X" is different from "proportional representation of X at a given wage"?
If they wanted to discriminate, they could simply not bother with interviewing you in the first place and not waste their or your time.