Job market: does the arrival of 50 years weigh in the hotel?

Someone in my family once made a comment directed at me that made me thoughtful for many years. Bernal, how old are you? I answered, 28. So two years from now, it’s over.

Notice that we’re talking about 30 years and we don’t even get to 50 or after 50. It made me reflect for a long time and I still find myself thinking about how the job market is after 50?

In my readings and research, many companies stop hiring professionals over 50. In the face of this, here’s an attempted response based on my search for information.

1. High salary?
2. Little change mobility, flexibility?
3. Haven’t you updated yourself throughout your career?
4. Some conflicts and non-acceptance between generations?
5. Little resilience and/or emotional intelligence?

Active professionals in the market

I know many headhunters and many support hiring professionals over 50. However, the companies that hire them do not always want this professional profile.

We observe daily that in Brazil it is very common for professionals with 50 or more to be actively in the labor market.

In my opinion, these professionals are fundamental in organizations. I bet 100 on the most prepared.

Specific hiring programs

Entrepreneurs in general (in my case I always direct more to the hospitality segment, because I am and Have been a hotelier for more than 25 years) should create specific programs for hiring people above that age.

Many organizations already do this, but it is worth remembering that there is still plenty of room for such an attitude and investment.

It is important to think and act with this initiative to generate employability for this profile of 50-year-old professionals, who, in fact, are very young in the labor market, have energy, preparation and maturity to help their company.

Overcoming barriers and prejudices

It remains a huge paradigm break in the companies, but having professionals of 50 years or more adds value, motivates the professional and even those colleagues who are already seniors and see that the company retains these talents.

It is also good to remember that prejudice exists and we cannot let this type of situation generate inconvenience for the professional or for the company.

For this, it is important to work awareness. For companies to hire, it is obviously necessary that the professional is in fact qualified for a given function.

Having this as a premise and this professional having preparation will certainly help even in the acceptance of other employees.

Keep learning, whether you’re 18 or 80

I believe that many people with 50 or more seek this preparation, updating and knowledge.

We need to learn every day, whether you’re 18 or 80, and this relationship between ages benefits everyone.

Over 50 learns from the youngest and the younger ones learn a lot from the over 50. This integration into companies is a great opportunity for everyone.

What is an example is respect, for we can all learn from each other.

Tips for those looking for opportunities at age 50

If you are a senior and are looking for a new job opportunity, here are some guidelines:

• You’ve had many professional achievements. So value this;
• Anxiety, anguish, nervousness and discouragement are natural feelings. After all, who doesn’t go through that, doesn’t he? But try not to show this in your upcoming interview opportunities;
• You are, yes, mature enough to demonstrate capacity, preparation, resilience and, especially, who knows how to relate to any type of person in your professional environment. Demonstrate this;
• Relationship is everything. Therefore, know how to interact with everyone, accept criticismand always position yourself with great respect and with arguments;
• Give companies your brain, energy, capacity, preparation. After all, it took you years to conquer your space and become a great human being that you are today;
• Read, update yourself and be attuned to what happens in the world;
• Take courses, understand how new technologies work;
• No matter how much experience you have, be humble and recognize that you do not know everything, and that you do need help for situation a or b;
• Finally, positive and proactive attitude and open head always to learn.