A recent CIPD report revealed that businesses can benefit greatly from an age diverse workforce, with 66% of SMEs now focusing their attention on recruiting employees from a mix of age groups and with various levels of experience.
A workforce made up of varying ages ensures an extensive amount of knowledge sharing, with employees contributing a good balance of experience and a fresh look at the business or industry.
We are all aware that customer service standards can make or break the image of a brand. However, an age diverse workforce can enhance customer service skills. With a balance of experience and enthusiasm, employees of various ages can relate to the customers on different levels.
Here are some statements to consider before your next recruitment round:
- Ability is more important than age. It is always important to look at who is most capable of completing the role, not how many years of experience the candidates have. In some cases, previous work experience may have little or new relevance to this new role; this should be taken into consideration.
- Evaluate what your business needs. Do you need an individual who is new to the industry and can be trained and moulded to fit perfectly within your business, or an experienced candidate who will come with their own set ideas and processes? Evaluate how much time you have to invest into the training and professional development of an employee, as those with lesser experience will need more time to adjust to and understand the inner workings of the industry.
- It’s not what you know, it’s who. Often, it’s not about what relevant qualifications or experience an individual has, but the contacts and relationships they have secured that could enhance your business. Depending on the type of business, sometimes it’s more of a priority to hire individuals that will enhance the growth of your company through making and maintaining new relationships thanks to their excellent communication skills.
- Employ a diverse team. Hire individuals with different skill sets. If everyone can do the same thing, it’s unlikely your business will ever change or develop. Employees with varied skills will create innovative, fresh ideas, whilst strengthening the overall capability of the team.
For more information on the services provided by Gilpin Executive Search, please contact us on: +44 (0) 28 9076 9900.