Old is Gold

This is the statement that we need to take into heart, as companies in all across the country, from banking jobs to financial jobs, are encouraged to consider, nay, to appreciate and hire older employees. This is to make up for the possible shortage of workers brought by the stringent standards set for foreigners who are seeking employment in Singapore.

Come to think of it, older employees indeed have a lot to offer, not only in terms of their competence and capabilities, but also in soft skills. For instance, older executives may have better ways to handle a difficult situation, based on past experiences. They can also contribute on the enrichment of the company’s core values. The presence of older employees in a certain group can be encouraging, if not comforting, to the younger ones.

So instead of throwing resumes of senior executives to the bin, set them apart and see what they can bring to the table. Change the mindset of the whole company and start to take in older employees. Being old does not mean that one is not capable; it can be the opposite, in fact! For all we know, they are even more nimble than most of us.

The challenge in hiring older employees may include managing the group despite their different ages, or different approaches in attacking a problem or a situation. You only have to determine and identify strategies that you can use to strengthen your workforce as older employees come in. Think of team building activities that will make it easier for employees to understand each other despite their age. Conduct meetings that enable everybody to interact with each other and learn about insights unique to their age groups.

It’s all about your attitude, really. If you see elderly employees as a nuisance to the company, then that is what you’re going to see happening when you hire them. However, if you live by the adage “Old is gold,” then you will know your investment is more than worth it.

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