Tech Workers Over 35 Face Career Crisis in China's Fast-Paced Tech Industry

Tech workers aged 35 and over are facing a career crisis in China's fast-paced tech industry as strict recruitment criteria and a preference for younger employees exclude them from job opportunities and threaten their job security. According to a report by China's Maimai Data Research Institute in 2021, the average age of employees at the top 20 internet companies in China is 29.6, and at ByteDance and Pinduoduo, the two fastest-growing internet companies in China, it is as low as 27. This trend reflects the preference of many companies for younger employees who are deemed more cost-effective and easier to manage.

Ji Yuankui, a 33-year-old testing engineer, is one of many tech workers who have experienced the negative consequences of this trend. After suffering health problems due to high-intensity overtime work in YITU and ByteDance, he returned to his former employer, Trip.com Group Limited, for a more relaxed working environment but faced salary and rank regression. To avoid being laid off, he plans to transition to a testing management position before the age of 35, but worries about the lack of management experience and the risk of job-hopping failure.

'The salary level and vacation benefits for older employees are often better than younger ones. This means that many companies have to pay more to retain an older employee. Therefore, when the internet industry shrinks and cools down, younger people who are more cost-effective and easier to manage will likely become the first choice for large companies,' said Ms. Zhao, a senior recruiter. However, she also noted that the situation for older tech workers may not be as dire as some social media posts suggest, as many of them find alternative job opportunities before layoffs occur, such as working in smaller or medium-sized enterprises or abroad.

Eliminating age discrimination in the workplace has become a hot topic in China, with some lawmakers and experts calling for revising relevant labor laws and regulations to ensure a certain proportion of employees aged 40 and above in various types of enterprises. However, until such legislation is enacted, personal efforts such as continuous learning and improving professional skills may help older tech workers overcome career anxiety. It is also suggested to lower excessive career expectations and consider alternative career paths or industries.

In conclusion, the career crisis facing tech workers aged 35 and over highlights the need for a more inclusive and diverse workforce in the tech industry, where talent and experience should be valued regardless of age. While there are challenges and uncertainties, there are also opportunities and possibilities for those who are willing to adapt and innovate.