At 48, Launching a Business Amid Concerns of Being 'Too Experienced' for Tech Roles

Baz Costello, at 48, felt the sting of professional ageism while searching for employment, which eventually led him to start his own venture.

During his career as a consultant at a major digital firm, where he excelled as a product lead and advocated for neurodiversity, Baz navigated the challenges of the modern job market. After facing health hurdles earlier this year, including treatment for prostate cancer, he eagerly anticipated rejoining the workforce come August.

However, the job market seemed to shrink, and LinkedIn became both a resource and a pitfall for Baz, especially with ADHD. It became easy to spend endless hours scrolling through job listings, encountering discouraging posts from others facing similar job search woes, further dampening his spirits.

Confronting Age Bias

A recruiter contacted Baz for a senior project management role at a digital transformation company. Despite positive initial interviews, Baz observed the younger leadership team's dynamics. Subsequently, an invitation for a brief meeting with the practice lead seemed promising, but then the feedback came: he was 'overqualified'.

Though age discrimination is legally condemned, it manifests subtly in phrases like 'dynamic, fast-paced environment' or 'work-hard, play-hard culture', implying a preference for younger employees without familial responsibilities.

Renewing Purpose

Feeling misjudged due to his matured appearance—seeing himself humorously as 'Father Christmas in training'—Baz considered making superficial changes to seem younger. However, he chose to embrace his rich experience.

Embarking on this new venture, Baz is developing an app, leveraging his strong background and consulting with advisors to create a solid strategy. Forsaking LinkedIn for a more optimistic outlook, he envisions returning and announcing his business, inviting other seasoned professionals and those with diverse mental frameworks to join.