Are you too old for the workforce?
The answer is no! If you’re over 50, stop convincing yourself that you’re too old for the work force!
Retirement age is currently 66 in Australia and will be soon be 67 and most likely older in the future. Of course, it doesn’t mean you must stop working then. Retirement age is just the legislated age that you’re able to start receiving a pension. Many people work beyond this age.
Older workers often feel undesirable in the workplace because of their age. There are certainly some companies with prejudice against older workers, but they are not the majority.
Tips for Older Jobseekers
As recruiters we often hear the below concerns from older jobseekers:
– Should I add my age to my resume? (no)
– They probably want someone younger than me (who said that?)
– Am I over-qualified for this role? (what even is that?)
Don’t bring your insecurities to the interview process, it does not serve you.
However, it is important to know where you are at in your career and what a suitable role would now look like for you. Being over 50 is a different phase in your career, where you start to mentor and train the juniors coming through, you impart your knowledge and wisdom and usher in the next generation.
If you’re interviewing for a role and they say (or imply) you’re too old, then that’s not the place for you! Showcase your experience at interview, tell them why you can not only do the role but also that you’re at a level now that you will be able to influence and teach the next generation coming through.
4 Key Reasons Older Workers are Important for Businesses
1. Mentoring. Older more experienced workers are able to share knowledge and skills with younger employees. The benefits of this are enormous.
2. Innovation. Different perspectives are offered by diverse workplaces and this is a great strength when driving innovation.
3. Lower turnover. It’s been documented that age diverse workplaces typically have lower turnover rates. This is because workers over 55 tend to be loyal employees and is also connected to younger employees gaining insights and coping strategies from older workers.
4. Improved performance. Having a workforce with different strengths and viewpoints helps improve performance.