Is it a red flag if the average age of employees is 26?

9 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 2:23PM UTC

   It depends.
   I am 40+ and have worked in a tech company where the average age trends very young. Is it a young industry (like AI) where they recruit directly out of top schools to develop machine learning/LLM? If so, that young energy is not a bad thing. Is it the VP of XXX and XXX who is 5 years out of college and possibly the bestie of the founder? If so, does the younger person in leadership position have the genius to be making those decisions or is it possible they are over their head? For me personally, I like the younger energy of individual contributors in the mix, but I am suspicious if the people making strategy/business decisions that can impact my ability to stay employed seem over their head (at any age). As for burning out, burnout is common at start-ups regardless of age. Startups tend to run people of all ages hard and as a result attract younger people. But for a more mature company, if they are still acting like a startup and can't get mature people to stay in the mix, that is definitely a red flag. I would do some LinkedIn investigation. Did the leadership team graduate from the same school/same year-ish? How long have people stayed at the company (is the average tenure less than a year)? Does their LinkedIn company presence hint at maturity and strategic leadership? All these things can help you decide.

2. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 2:46PM UTC

   Folks will work incredible hours with little pay.

3. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 2:50PM UTC

   If it’s a startup and under 2 years old—yes and no.

   Yes, because it’s an unproven company, brand new, likely started and run and operated by a group of friends who knew each other in college or at another startup.

   No, because the company likely has a lot of young people who enjoy autonomy, flexibility, value new ideas, and are less rigid about adhering to the status quo.

   If the company has been around for more than a decade or so, and all the folks are under 30, I would question if it’s burnout or are they promoting people into other roles. Take note of your concerns and do as much research on the company and make sure you ask questions during the interview phase that get these concerns addressed for you.

4. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 4:38PM UTC

   No it's really not.

5. AnonymousApril 13,2024 at 6:17PM UTC

   I agree with what the others have said, but I will add my two cents. Burnout is one option. The other is low pay and no upward mobility. They prefer to pay entry-level wages while requiring intermediate or high-level experience. I would guess that turnover is very high. It would only be a red flag if you are burnout-prone or over 30.

6. Eileen MApril 14,2024 at 12:56PM UTC

   The few start ups I've a part both had younger staff for all the reasons listed below. Also, these sort of environments give young adults an energizing experience of getting to create and try new things, be close with leadership and continue the college bond. The real question shouldn't just focus on age, but the anticipated behavior and culture that comes with a younger staffed organization and if that's a fit. It works for some people because the environment is fun, exciting, pressure was high but everyone was in it together, "fail fast" was real -- very little blaming.

7. AnonymousApril 14,2024 at 1:47PM UTC

   If you older it can definitely burn you out. I’m in a startup now with many young people and they are hungry and work long hours with low pay and the older workers do get burned out, especially if they are dealing aging parents and / or raising a family. Many older workers at my job have left because of the expectations to over produce all the time. Also it’s hard to get promoted if you are an older worker because you can’t put in a much time or energy as younger worker. So it can become dead end for some. If you need a job take it in the interim. Look for something better when the economy improves.

8. AnonymousApril 14,2024 at 3:10PM UTC

   How big is the company and how long has it been around? If it's a small startup created by someone out of uni, then the age range makes sense.

   If it's larger and has been around a few years, it might be because the pay is too low to sustain employees who are starting families, trying to buy homes, or generally unwilling to take low salaries that require you to shack up with 2-4 roommates.

9. Peg PettisApril 14,2024 at 3:46PM UTC

   Started 1979. Has 12,000 employees