Dropping the F-Bomb in your job search
Heather Macindoe, Recruiter, Construction/Engineering
Recruitment. People Finder. Whether it's a single hire, or a whole project team, I can help you get that sorted.
F*****!? F*****!?? F*****! ??
Oh heck! Why not just come out with it and say it like it is?
Fifty!
There! I said it. ?Fifty! Fifty! Fifty! ?
And for good measure, Sixty! ( ooooh! Subversive? ?A step too far? ?I think not.)
For the fourth time in as many days, last week, as in-depth phone conversations ended, I felt compelled to add “Chin up! Stay positive!” I was speaking with competent, highly qualified mature-aged job seekers.
In Civil Engineering and Construction space, the current Queensland market is a little bit of a rabble. There are OODLES of jobs, particularly for early, and mid-career engineers.
A kind of musical chairs on speed.?Job offers, counter offers, multiple offers.
It’s swift. Candidates often have a swag of opportunities to consider.
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And they can be brutal. Even signing an agreement and later accepting an alternate offer. ? They might let you know they've changed their mind via a quick text- or maybe not.
It's all a bit exasperating to observe for the 50 y/o plus folk who can be faced with job seeking in a market which appears to be youth driven and stacked against the mature worker.
And it got me thinking: Why?
Why is it that mature aged job seekers hit more hurdles in their search for work?
Studies into happiness and well-being indicate that our overall happiness increases post fifty and continues to climb until the mid-seventies. (I know right!) So if you want happy employees, forget throwing in gym memberships or astroturfing the office. Try hiring a more mature cohort.
Want an employee to stick around?
Chances are, as an employer, you’re more likely to get 5 to 10 years out of someone who is in their fifties, than someone in their thirties.
Worried your mature worker will secretly be vying for power, control or status and will struggle to take direction from a younger line manager? Ermm, Nah, unlikely
So I’m curious. What additional (perhaps hidden) value can a mature worker bring to the table?
What’s your personal experience been? – or that of someone you know in their fifties (wink wink) and you’ve observed as an unexpected value-add as a result of their age/wisdom?
Available immediately: Work anywhere. Finance & Admin Manager: , Budgeting, Cost Engineering, Cash Management, Asset Management, Safety, Security. Risk Management, Emergency/Evacuation planning Hotel, Catering,
2 年Heather Macindoe. Why have an age limit? I am 71 and still want to work. Why am I too old in so many peoples eyes? I am probably fitter and more enthusiastic than younger people. Also my experience means I can Train and Mentor younger people. I can go on with many more things I and other older people can do. Please give us a chance we want to work and would be loyal to any Employer.
International HR, Career Coach and Recruitment Specialist, Not a "Master Influencer" or "Thought Leader", just a real person giving real advice. Co-owner of Manchester Utd (sounds better than minority shareholder)
2 年Heather I have worked with people over 50, over 60 and can you believe it even over 65. All of them have ultimately been successful. It is about attitude, momentum, and consistency. In my experience people who truly want to work, will work but sometimes an amount of flexibility is required. If any of your readers want a free review of their circumstance I am always happy to lock in a time to chat and if anybody wants a free copy of "who moved my cheese", I am happy to forward it on. Mark Daniel (59)
Chief Operating Officer @ MAX Services. Cranes and Transport | Heavy Lift Services | Mining Services | Materials Handling |
2 年How true ! Can go past experience and knowledge. Nicely written Heather.
The Maven | Founder of The Spicy Boudoir dot com | Advocate for ageless sexuality and opening up conversations around sex, death & disability. ?Represented by Champion Health Agency: [email protected]
2 年Great article, Heather.