I know the title seems backward. We hear that as a society we look younger and are living healthier and more active lives than ever before. Then why are people in the prime of their career having a hard time finding work? Is the 50+ crowd ready to retire and be in slippers?
This is a hot topic now. Pundits on cable talk shows are asking the political candidates what they plan to do about the 50-60 yr old people who are unemployed and can’t get a job? The answer is that we need to retrain these people. I don’t think that is exactly true in the accounting profession.
For sure, the more mature accountants are experienced, knowledgeable and hard-working. They are not distracted by social media and are not looking at the clock to see that they worked an extra half hour. The investment a firm makes in a more mature accountant may prove to be better in the long run. This is so because a more mature accountant will probably not look for a new position in 2 years. Yet firms aren’t keen on hiring the 50+ crowd.
They want to know why they are looking for work in their 50s and want to know if they have a book of business. There are many reasons for the search. Perhaps, because of a merger, there were management changes and the new management doesn’t suit them. Perhaps their position was eliminated. The no business part, well not everyone is a rainmaker. Firms keep people who are proficient in a particular area and are good technicians. A good firm needs that too.
Would you hire a person in their 50’s? They have their loafers ready.