Is age really no barrier to hiring?

[MaggiesFancyBlouse]

I was on an interview panel this week with colleagues from one of the company's international offices. The candidate was completely unsuitable, so I have no concerns about is not hiring. However, one of my colleagues said in his feedback "I am concerned that, due to his age, he would struggle to connect with our younger customer base".

I was really shocked. I've no idea what the laws are in that country, but if anyone had said that on a UK interview panel, people would be horrified. But it did get me thinking - how big is the gap between the laws on age discrimination and the reality of it?

If you're an older job hunter, how big an issue do you think your age is? And if you're a hiring manager, be honest - would you be put off by an older candidate for certain jobs? I know most of the time CVs don't include ages anymore, but most of the time it's surely easy enough to work out roughly how old a candidate is.

How realistic is it to avoid age discrimination in recruitment?

No one cares about age discrimination?

I've no idea what the laws are in that country

If you were on the interview panel and were really shocked by the feedback, it’s your duty to find out what the laws are in that country and act accordingly.

I think a lot of people struggle to find work in their 50s. Of course, most recruiters aren't daft enough to say, "we want someone younger,," just, "another candidate had more relevant experience," or similar.

A lot of jobs won't go to +50 yo. It's old news.

I landed a job at almost 60, a temporary contract which got made permanent a few months later. Public sector though. In industry I doubt I'd have even got an interview unfortunately.

I managed to find new senior roles at 58 and 61. It was hard at 58 but that was in lockdown. The second role took me 7 weeks.

However, I agree that a young target market will probably be better served by young sales people/ marketing teams etc. They are more likely to have similar life experiences, cultures and values, and be better able to connect..

Finance, tech support, customer service, logistics etc, skills & experience are more important than age.

Not really the point, but thanks 🙄

Feel free not to comment if you find it such "old news".

I think it’s extra important as you get older to make sure your skills are up to date and you’re well across the latest trends and approaches in your area. The interview panels I’ve been on where age becomes an issue is when the person has been so entrenched in their role or organisation for so long that they are oblivious to new approaches and thinking.

I have never had a problem getting hired and Im 64. Ive been asked if Ill do an extra couple of years after retirement. In fact one employer told me he never hires young women because they always go off and have babies and its really inconvenient.
Mind you I work in specialist healthcare where experience is preferred.
Im well aware older people have a hard time in other industries.