The Benefits of Hiring Mature Candidates

(0)Comments admin Jan 24,2018

Traditionally, it was the norm for employees to spend long periods of time at the same workplace.  Steady employment could last decades and there wasn’t a great deal of job-hopping in order to search for brighter pastures.

Nowadays, the landscape has changed somewhat. Younger people are more likely to be better educated and the trend is that they’re leaving jobs after just a couple of years. In fact, the Bureau of Labour Statistics said that the average time that one person sticks at one workplace is now just 4.2 years, which decreased since the previous survey.

So, do mature candidates struggle to keep up with the dynamic changes to the industry? How can they compete with younger candidates for the roles they want, should they choose to seek something new?

Recruitment agencies in Melbourne, including First Personnel, know that experienced candidates have a lot to offer.

  1. They’re loyal – Many (not all) mature candidates don’t use technology as much as younger workers. They’re receiving less emails and alerts about new job opportunities and they’re more settled in life. As a result, they’re less likely to apply for something new or choose to leave the workplace to travel.
  2. They have transferrable skills – Mature-age employees bring experience and knowledge to a role, which could set them up to better solve a range of problems.
  3. They’re confident – Years of experience gives workers the confidence to share their ideas with management and carry out tasks efficiently.
  4. Advanced skills – Desired skills in the workplace such as communication, maturity, focus and punctuality are all advanced in those that are older.
  5. They require less training – Employers may be able to save money on training if their new staff member already knows how to do what is expected.

Tips for Mature Applicants

When applying for a new position, don’t let anything hold you back. Follow these quick tips for a better chance of landing that perfect new job:

  • Make your experience attractive to employers. They don’t want to know how long you’ve been in a position for, but rather what you did there. Explain how you made a difference and how your experience is relevant to this role.
  • You’re not obligated to include a date of birth on your resume, though employers can ask for it if they wish.
  • Speak to a professional recruitment consultant about interview tips. Application processes and interview strategies have changed somewhat, so find out how to impress your new boss.
  • Contact recruitment agencies that specialise in your industry. They can assign you an industry-specific contact who can link you up with ideal companies. Give First Personnel a call on (03) 500 200 30 to get started.