You\u2019re looking for a new job in your sixties. That might be because your current job no longer suits you or you\u2019re facing redundancy. Maybe you\u2019re retired but you need to return to work because of the rising cost of living.
\nWhatever the reason for starting a job hunt in your sixties, finding new employment at this stage in your life can be especially nerve-wrecking. You may be competing with younger candidates who are just starting out and eager to please. You may have worries that employers won\u2019t want to invest in workers who may only be with them for a few years.<\/p>\n
Whatever your worry, there are plenty of reasons that older workers are of value to employers and ongoing evidence that people like you are needed in the workplace.<\/p>\n
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In July 2022, the UK Government announced that it would invest several million pounds into assisting over 50s to find jobs<\/a> in England, Wales, and Scotland. This included increased one-to-one support at Jobcentres and the creation of 50-Plus Champions who would work with businesses to build an understanding of the benefits of employing older workers.<\/p>\n The UK Government also plans to find ways to convince and assist retirees to return to the workplace following a report in December 2022 which concluded that the increased number of people retiring early since the pandemic had played a key role in the UK\u2019s labour shortage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One worry you may have when applying for a job in your sixties is how to overcome employer doubts. The best way to equip yourself to answer those doubts is to find out how employing older workers as part of a diverse workforce can benefit businesses.<\/p>\n By the time you reach your sixties, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring to a new job and employer. Beyond the tasks and responsibilities of the job itself, you\u2019ve had years to develop your skills<\/a> too, including:<\/p>\n You are more likely to hit the ground running when starting a new job and be aware of what is expected from you as an employee. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n With the wealth of experience mentioned above, you are in an ideal position to help out younger and less experienced colleagues. Whether you\u2019re an official mentor or an unofficial role model that other colleagues go to for advice, you can save your employer time and expense by helping and perhaps training your colleagues.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Businesses who employ older workers benefit from increased productivity. This is proven by research from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) which found that employing 10% more workers aged over 50 years old increased company productivity by 1.1%. Key reasons for this increased productivity include the fact that older workers are less likely to leave for a job elsewhere, reducing job turnover and the need to train new employees, and the greater work experience and range of skills that older workers bring to the business.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Employers understand the benefits of a diverse workforce. Age is an essential element of that diversity because of the wide range of experience, skills, and working preferences that an age diverse workforce brings to a business.<\/p>\n Age diversity also allows for a sharing of knowledge between different age groups and increases innovation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Employing older workers can also be cost effective. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\nThe value of older workers to employers<\/h2>\n
\n <\/i> Experience<\/h3>\n
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<\/i> Able to act as a role model or mentor<\/h3>\n
<\/i> Increased productivity<\/h3>\n
<\/i> Diversity<\/h3>\n
<\/i> Cost effective<\/h3>\n