looking for senior, mature people to join our team

Oh what the hell. I'm going to rock the boat ..... again.

I prefer working with older / senior / mature people because
a) they have knowledge
b) they have experience
c) they have ideas that are likely to work (based on experience)
d) they have common sense
e) they don't need hand holding
f) I don't need to sort out problems caused by lack of the above.

Yes, there will be younger people who are just as good, there will be older people who don't fit the above and I have grossly simplified the topic but I am looking for people who can do the job, not the very, very best person in all the world.

Gary

Wohoo two weeks & I can apply!! 

I prefer working with older / senior / mature people because
a) they have knowledge
b) they have experience
c) they have ideas that are likely to work (based on experience)
d) they have common sense
e) they don't need hand holding
f) I don't need to sort out problems caused by lack of the above.

So, given the above, you have the begginings of a specification for the skills a person you would want to hire, without specifying age. Take each of the above and be specific. For example, for a), specify what knowledge you need.

Ok..... so now for a comment from a recruitment agency,

I believe that the right person for the job is not just based on skills, its based on the personality and life experiecnce too.

If a company is looking for a certain age, sex, etc.  if they can back up the reason why and not just say eg.its because they want a young good looking girl on reception. Then I understand.

I came across a company thats asked me for a warehouse manager but he couldnt have a practising muslim.  shock horror!!!!!!!!!!!!

The reason was because the meat was not halal so someone who is a practising muslim will not touch the meat.  No issues as when I spoke to applicants I didnt ask their religion, I simply asked them if they had a issue with touching meet that was not halal. Nothing to do with race, sex, religion colour blah blah .

If someone is dealing with investments and David would like someone who has had personal dealings with investing money over a period of time and changes in the market then this person will more than likely be older, just the same as if a company is looking for someone to go into a trainee role then yes there will be older people applying but the majoity will be younger due to the salary offered.

I know alot of recruitment agencies would refuse to work with such specifics as they would see it an not politically correct, I however work with a companys wants and needs aslong as critieria is justified. which is why I have an award, get great testimonials and get the candidates right first time every time.

Chrissie

Why not ask your children about their friends parents or grandparents?

How about your parents friends?

How about your friends parents?

How about 4N members or their parents or their childrens parents & grandparents?

I think you will find that he is looking to recruit this type of person because they are more likely to have friends of the same age who have a pension pot they can ''''''''wealth manage'''''''''.  Nothing to do with skills or ability whatsoever.

From the times I was involved in recruiting staff I should think that asking for a hand written application should do the trick of sifting out serious contenders.

The vast majority of people under 50 these days can not write, spell or punctuate so removing word processed applications where this is 'taken care of' for them will limit the age group applying significantly and any younger person displaying the skill set required to put real pen to real paper would be worth considering regardless of age.

Though I can understand given your business why you yink you need older staff - would I trust a 25 year old telling me how to manage my 50 year old wealth ? "No".

David, Hornet's nest me thinks!

Mike :-)

Chrissie you & I would get on great - a pragmatic approach to ACTUALLY giving a business what they WANT & NEED whilst helping them stay on the right side of the law & good practice - what a bright idea! 

I'm 49-soon to be 50 what do I have to do?

Oh dear! guess at 37 I cannot hand write and the majortiy of my friends under the age of 50 running businesses must have the same problem.  How on earth have I been running a successful business for the last 18 months!!!  ha ha.

Its a shame that giving businesses what thats actually want is unusual dont you think!!!!!!

Chrissie - Yes! 

We do sometimes have to say to people "no that really isn't a good idea" as I am sure you do but in the main we aim for "what outcome do you want" and "how do we achieve that for you"  - seems like a good start point to me...!

I would like to thank everyone for their comments. There was no age descrimination meant by the 50 thing. I was directing the comments to people who may be semi retired, ex business people. 40 is Ok so is 60. In my type of business our agents need to have life experiance & know how to talk to people about retirement. Most of the UK population in the UK retire with less than £30K in their pension. Its quite shocking that people in the UK do not take this retirement planning serious.

Just to let you know, we do have young people in our company. Our Marketing Director is 25 years old & very capable.  

Is it then also discriminitary to recruit for young people, for example apprenticships? Nothing is black and white in this world!!