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I am currently 22 yrs old and a Software developer, i have worked in many countries and have an extremely complete CV (Over 6 companies, 4 languages).

Usually they realize how young i am when i actually show up to work. but, i was wondering, since my skill level is more in line with someone that is 30, (in Canada most people are in university at my age) is it worth it to mention my age after my skill set?

I see it as either a "This guy is a prodigy" or "He must be lying about his skills".

Should i mention my age?

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    My first reaction when reading your question is that there's a strong likelihood of Dunning-Kruger at play here. Just let your skills speak for themselves - your age isn't relevant if your work-output shows through.
    – brhans
    Jul 17, 2019 at 16:12
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    If you started working professionally at 18, that's 6+ companies in 4 years! That sounds like a job-hopper - you didn't ask about this, but unless you're in consulting, you need to find a place where you can stay for a while.
    – thursdaysgeek
    Jul 17, 2019 at 16:20
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    @thursdaysgeek I was very much thinking the same, It's essentially each job lasting less than a year, and mentioning that its been using 4 languages means you likely have about 1 year professional experience in each language, which very much (in my eyes) leaves you in the band of a "Junior" in that tech
    – Gibbon
    Jul 17, 2019 at 16:23
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    Skill and experience aren't directly related to age. Saying that you have the skill of someone 5 years older than you makes no sense and isn't measurable in any significant way.
    – joeqwerty
    Jul 17, 2019 at 22:00
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    If I work at 1 company my entire career and speak only 1 language, is my CV incomplete? I'm not understanding how the number of companies and languages is relevant to "completeness".
    – joeqwerty
    Jul 17, 2019 at 22:09

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Why would anyone care what your age was at work? They should be more concerned with your skill level relevant to the job.

If you're under the impression that you will be judged unfairly if you tell them your age, then don't. If it's a concern, just don't talk about it. If someone else brings it up, tell them (it shouldn't be a secret) and then if they give you grief about it, ask why it matters.

The average employee should not be surprised by a skilled coworker, regardless of age. If you have the skills, they will speak for themselves. Especially when working in IT, it is expected that younger generations will have a greater baseline knowledge than their elders did at the same age. But this post seems more like self-gratification than an actual question so maybe I'm wasting my time.

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    "...this post seems more like self-gratification than an actual question so maybe I'm wasting my time." Indeed!
    – GreenMatt
    Jul 17, 2019 at 16:10
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    Judging from the post... OP shouldn't post hist age, there is a real question about maturity here and his age would definitely confirm that assumption.
    – ShinEmperor
    Jul 17, 2019 at 19:31
  • "...this post seems more like self-gratification than an actual question so maybe I'm wasting my time." This is a very real problem. I started programming for money at 17. I likely didn't get a promotion at 23 because the job required more experience than "age - graduation age", even though I had it.
    – Julie in Austin
    Jul 19, 2019 at 1:00
  • @JulieinAustin If you actually weren't given the promotion because of your age, that points to a larger issue with the company and not the industry as a whole. At the company I work for, there are many managers who are younger than their employees. In general, if you have the skills for the job, you have proven you have those skills to your management, and you have the interpersonal skills to work the position you will receive the promotion. If you don't there's some other underlying factor. I'm doubtful they didn't offer the promotion purely because of age, but it is possible I suppose
    – Matt
    Sep 12, 2019 at 16:39
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No. In the US in particular, it's illegal to ask the question. It's irrelevant to the job. You can either do the work, or not.

The same could be asked of the 60 year old man who wonders "Should I tell them my age?" Because, after all, the stereotype is that older people can't keep up in the tech world, right?

Prove you can do the work and no one will care.

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I wouldn't advertise your age uninvited. Whether on a resume, a company profile, or elsewhere, adding your age is either going to be taken as cavalier or a reason to doubt your ability.

Let your experience and reputation speak for itself. So long as you get the job done well and are respectful and collaborative with those around you, I don't think many folks will be concerned with your age.

If your colleagues ask you about your age, you should disclose it as you feel it's appropriate - even then, I would resist revealing a specific age.

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