EXPERIENCE OVER AGE

 

Many companies see themselves as innovative, forward-thinking and open-minded but do any of them have the courage to take on new talent over a certain age?

They see a fresh-faced graduate ready to take the next step in their development and, understandably, this is extremely attractive to a potential employer. However, the 2015 film "The Intern" raises a valid point on this subject. Starring Robert de Niro as Senior Intern 'Ben', a man with a wide range of experiences - both in life and the workplace - who, he states, still has 'music in him'. He retired a few years previously and has been actively learning a range of new skills whilst seeking to fill a hole in his life. In the beginning his usefulness to the company is doubted but, as time goes by, his determination and insight into the effective running of a business become apparent.

This is not to say that, just because someone is of a certain age, they should automatically be entitled to a position, but the moral of the story is that if they have tenacity and they can demonstrate the desire to learn new skills and to be actively seeking something more of themselves, surely this is an avenue that is worth exploring when recruiting new staff?

Through conversations with numerous other jobseekers during a persistent search for employment in Italy, I have come to know a large and diverse group of people aged over thirty who are struggling to re-enter the job market for various reasons. This is not through lack of talent, education or desire to work, but there seems to be a block somewhere along the line. Figures show that employment in the country is on the rise, which should be an encouraging prospect. However, in order to aid those I have spoken to, what I believe is that being good at what you do and having the drive to do it should be enough, regardless of your age and the potential gaps in your career history created purely by a difficult economic climate.

At the risk of sounding idealistic, it would be refreshing to believe that a potential employer would choose to run the risk of selecting a candidate to invest in, not because they are of an age where tax and salary contributions cost less (or are, quite often, a family connection or a friend-of-a-friend), but simply because they are the most suitably qualified person for the job.

There are, however, many good managers out there who do take an avid interest in new potential. I was fortunate to work for one such person when I was employed by a rope manufacturing company. The person in question genuinely cared about the career and personal development of his employees and believed in helping us reach our full potential. For example, withing three months of starting with his team I was given the opportunity to work at the Paris Boat Show representing the company on their stand, meeting clients and developing my product knowledge. Is it not time that we stand up and give similar opportunities to experienced individuals without prejudice and reservations?

In 'The Intern', Ben is heard to use the famous quote by Mark Twain; 'You are never wrong to do the right thing'. For the sake of those I spoke to and countless others like them, maybe now is the time to try and do that?