Golden Oldies - Empowering the workforce after 50
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‘Ageism in the
workplace may not be as prolific as we think,’ says PCS Executive, the UK’s
career management and outplacement
consultancy.
It is popular belief that in modern society the
youth is esteemed and age is disregarded, especially in the workplace where,
despite anti-discrimination laws, there are still many reports of older
generations facing ageism when searching for their next role. It is thought
that employers look to mould youth rather than take on experience when hiring.
Or do they?
PCS Executive’s recent
statistics tell a different story. As one of the leading
career management consultancies
in the UK, nearly 40% of the candidates they work with have been over the age
of 50 in the past year, and, considering their youngest client is just shy of
30, this adds years of experience to their success rate. Whilst the struggle to
find that next role still proves more difficult with age, it is the approach to
the job market that PCS have learnt to address meaning the number of candidates
being placed in new and more lucrative positions has continued to improve
despite the downturn in the market.
Why does the PCS
method work better than traditional routes to market?
PCS encourage candidates to be proactive in
their job search. “It’s about setting targets and working to achieve goals that
otherwise may appear unreachable,” says Louise Lapish, Senior Project Manager at
PCS. The Project Management team focus on expanding the candidate’s network of
contacts and drawing on personable relationships and the unadvertised job market in order to land, not just the next role, but a role that
is in alignment with career goals and objectives set out at the beginning of
the programme.
“Recruitment agencies
have targets and quotas to fill,” continues Louise. “A younger candidate may
seem more attractive to a recruiter but by targeting the employer directly, we
cut out the salesman and allow our clients to truly market themselves as the ideal
person for the job.” PCS figures show that out of those that found employment
in January 2010, over 60% achieved this through networking, compared to just 18%
through a recruiter.
Whilst employers are
forced by law not to discriminate when advertising positions, the feeling that jobs
are often given to someone younger is still strong. By creating your own
opportunities and building personal relationships with key decision makers,
issues of age can be alleviated and the employer can be assured of your
dedication and commitment to your work and career.
Are we finally seeing
the demise of age discrimination? PCS Executive thinks so.
When embracing the
last decade before retirement there is still plenty of time for career
progression. Authority and responsibility calls for age and experience and it
is in these conclusive years that power and autonomy can truly be achieved in
the workplace.
PCS Executive are the UK’s leading Career Management and Outplacement
consultancy. All support offered through PCS is bespoke and tailored to the
individual’s particular campaign as they appreciate that each and every
jobseeker has a unique offering in the marketplace and also understand that
senior level individuals are fishing in a smaller pool than the majority of
jobseekers. As the only BS EN ISO 9001:2000 accredited company in the sector,
you can also be assured of PCS Executive’s commitment to quality.
For further information about the services that PCS Executive offers please
visit www.pcsexecutive.com
or call a member of the team on tel. 0844 8806690.
