Younger interviewers less likely to hire mature job seekers

iveco SG

Mature job seekers are less likely to be hired by interview panels consisting just young people, a survey here has found.

Their likelihood of getting and keeping the job jumped from 57 per cent to 69 per cent when they are faced instead with a mixed panel of young and old interviewers.

Commissioned by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (Tafep), the survey also found that organisations with age-friendly employment practices, such as providing a 'buddy' from the same age group, were more likely to recruit and retain mature employees.

The attributes of the mature job seekers matter too. Those who were tech-savvy, had a positive attitude and prepared for their interviews had a better chance of getting hired.

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No wonder TCJ needed to come up with the re-employment law.

Fcukpap SG

thats why its important for all working people to take up CPD and upgrade themselves with higher relevant qualifications and skills update.....where experience is more valued....mature job seekers would have a higher chance to getting the job they want...

Taobaoshiyanshi13 SG

Maybe younger interviewers think they are useless...

fibytprsu SG

Minister of State for Manpower Tan Chuan Jin says companies who are not ready for the re-employment legislation should make the necessary changes now.

Speaking at the first Age Friendly Workforce Asia Conference on Thursday, Tan said employers should start tapping on all available resources and assistance to make necessary adjustments before the new law kicks in 2012, reported Channel NewsAsia.

The new law makes it compulsory for employers to re-hire suitable employees beyond the statutory retirement age of 62. Under the new re-employment legislation, companies have to re-hire suitable employees beyond the retirement age of up to 65 years old, with hiring terms open for negotiation.

The Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices conducted research and found that there were two ways for companies to improve chances of finding suitable mature job-seekers.

The initial step is to diversify the age composition of recruitment selection panels before providing a flexible work arrangement as part of human resource policies.

"Bear in mind how we treat our older workers, because that is how your younger workers will look at you because at some point, they will also become older workers," said Tan.

"And I think for many of us, we do realise (that) building a great organisation...(has) a lot to do with how we treat our people. I think this is an opportunity for us to retune the way we look at things," he told the news agency.

Tan also said that many businesses from large companies to small and medium enterprises have largely implemented re-employment with little or no change to employment terms. However, it is not enough to help older workers find work and more needs to be done to facilitate an age-friendly workplace and environment.

Over 1,800 employers have signed the Employers' Pledge of Fair Employment Practices, supporting the movement.

fibytprsu SG

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