Hiring Older Workers

In many areas the only workers that are available are older workers...those over 50 years of age who may be trying to re-enter the workforce or they may be trying to change occupations or jobs. The older worker can be one of the most valuable resources of your business.  The following are a few things to consider when hiring a 50+ worker.

1. Ask for a resume, review it carefully.  Look for gaps in employment and frequent changes in employer. 
2. The older worker often has extensive experience, both in dealing with difficult people and situations but also in organization and planning. 
3. I recently heard the comment that older workers show up, on time, ready to work and without attitudes. 
4. Older workers can be more flexible in their schedules, they don't have young children to consider when making work commitments. OR they can be more rigid, they have done the crazy work schedules and now they are looking for stability and routine.  Neither is right or wrong, but as a potential employer you will want to find out which it is. 
5. The job may be a secondary income and therefore money is not the most important thing.  A few well thought out questions will tell you what the employee's motivation is and if the job your are offering can fill it. 
6. Is the potential employee energetic or have they perhaps started the "slowing down process" Again there isn't anything wrong with someone wanting to slow down a bit, but that will not make them suitable for all jobs.  Match the person to the job and be careful not to rework the job to suit the candidate. 
7. Check references.  
8. Has the employee been a senior manager, a business owner or an executive?  They may be used to making the decisions with little input from others. Will this work in your business? 
9. Ask about vacation plans. Travel and family vacations may be high on the employee's list of priorities.  See if there may be conflicts with times that are going to be demanding in the workplace. 
10. Will an older employee fit into the company culture? Do they have the skills that are needed to do the job?