Older Workers Strengths and Weaknesses: What Does Older Mean in the Workplace?

Understanding older workers as unique, potential employees will lead to an appropriate evaluation of them as individuals with various strengths and weaknesses, not assessing them collectively by age. Note that even young hires have strengths and weaknesses.

Hiring an older worker can often appear problematic in the human resources department of any organization or company. Often the focus for hiring is on the younger generation. This can make finding employment in any capacity as an older worker difficult.

Why should you hire an older worker? 

Do you have an assessment and hiring strategy in place for older workers? If not, it may be something to consider as an employer. The U.S. Department of Labor website entitled "Employment Law Guide" offers hiring guidelines for potential employers.

One cannot underestimate the importance of treating an older worker with respect regardless of his or her suspected weakness. The dignity of the older worker is at stake. His or her self-esteem is an important aspect of employment. Those who are highly esteemed by employers generally tend to perform on a higher level than those who are not. When treated with respect the strengths of an older worker will become increasingly apparent.

Age is not the same thing as ability, although some employers do not distinguish between the two. In reality, age and ability are distinct entities. A retired person who has returned to work, a baby boomer or a young, new hire are not necessarily on different levels with respect to their ability. Each may simply need an opportunity to show his or her ability in terms of testing, assessment or various projects. In other words, an assessment and evaluation of strengths and weaknesses is important.

Age does not have to be included on a resume. In accordance with current employment standards no potential employee is obligated to disclose his or her age to an employer. Age awareness can lead to discrimination particularly if strengths and weaknesses are not considered.

Strengths and weaknesses are often gender related more so than age related, although not perceived that way. Note that women can have strengths in areas that men do not, or only some men do not. The same is true for men.

The word older can have different meanings. Older may mean something to one employer, but not necessarily the same thing to another. In other words, in the category of older, how old is old? Is it age 50, 60, 70 or 80? Maybe older means a person is in his or her 40's  in contrast to a person of a younger generation in his or her 20's.

Older may mean more experienced and stronger in one area.

Is the word older in reference to physical strength or mental, emotional and spiritual strength? Remember that anyone can be strong or weak in one area, as opposed to another. Older in terms of strength and weakness can vary in different areas.

Ask your potential, older worker what he or she sees as his or her strengths or weakness. He or she knows his or her strengths or weaknesses and will likely discuss them with you as an employer. Note that this employment candidate is making a sincere effort to apply for a job. The next candidate may not be quite so ambitious or suitable. Your older applicant may be far stronger and much more suitable as a candidate, than someone who is much younger and not sincere about employment.

Dealing with older hires in large groups can prove disastrous for organizations or companies, particularly if the older hires are not old at all. Not hiring older workers could prove disastrous as your best applicants for employment may be the oldest of them all.