Recognizing and Leveraging the Expertise of Midcareer Professionals

In an era where the workforce is rapidly aging, it is high time for employers to recognize the expertise of midcareer professionals — and to allow them to reach their full potential on the job.

The Changing Workforce Landscape

The world of work is undergoing a significant shift. Two dominant trends — longer lifespans and lower birth rates — are reshaping the workforce. Generation’s midcareer research, The Midcareer Opportunity, developed in partnership with the OECD, highlights the growth in midcareer and older workers as a segment of the workforce and explores the profound implications for economies, businesses, and workers themselves​​.

The Struggle to Adapt

Societies and businesses are grappling with the challenges posed by an aging workforce. With longer life expectancies, more individuals will continue working past traditional retirement age. However, employment opportunities tend to decline with age. Individuals aged 45 and older are less likely to be employed compared to their younger counterparts, representing a growing share of the long-term unemployed​​.

Battling Ageism

Ageism remains a significant barrier. Many midcareer and older workers perceive their age as the biggest hurdle in their professional lives, regardless of their educational background — and this perception is backed up by data. Generation’s survey found that a full 25% of employers believe candidates over age 55 will be reluctant to try new technologies, compared to only 8% for candidates in their 20s. Furthermore, employers are almost equally likely to interview someone with 5 years and 25 years of work experience (79% vs. 85%), demonstrating a tendency to discount candidates’ work experience.

Yet, when given the opportunity, midcareer and older workers frequently match or even surpass the performance of their younger colleagues​​. In our research, 89% of employers say midcareer and older workers perform as well as — if not better than — their younger peers, and 83% learn as, if not more, quickly. On top of this skill and competency, midcareer professionals bring a wealth of experience that is invaluable to companies today. In a rapidly evolving business landscape, the seasoned perspective and stability offered by midcareer professionals can be a significant asset for any organization. 

Here’s how.

Strategies for Employers

Proactively Attract Midcareer and Older Applicants

The seasoned perspectives of midcareer workers can help enhance decision-making, mentorship, and overall team dynamics. To attract midcareer candidates, employers should tailor their recruitment strategies to address their specific needs and aspirations. This could include offering flexible working arrangements, highlighting opportunities for professional development, and showcasing a company culture that values and respects the contributions of experienced workers. Additionally, modifying job descriptions and advertising channels to reach this demographic more effectively can further attract midcareer and older applicants.

Adjust Hiring Processes

Adjusting hiring processes to better attract and leverage midcareer talent involves rethinking traditional recruitment methods to acknowledge the unique skills and experiences this demographic brings. Companies should consider implementing experience-focused hiring practices, such as skills-based assessments and structured interviews, which focus on the candidate’s abilities and potential rather than just their age or length of career. It’s also important to develop a diverse hiring team that has experience reviewing and evaluating midcareer and older candidates. Emphasizing lifelong learning and career development in job descriptions can further appeal to midcareer professionals.

Partnering with us at Generation United States can be a key improvement in your hiring strategy! Our expertise in bridging the gap between employers and our midcareer and older graduates ensures a more seamless integration of midcareer talent into the workforce.

Emphasize Training and Upskilling

Employers can play a pivotal role by providing access to training and upskilling opportunities for midcareer professionals — as well as their younger peers — to continue to nurture an effective workforce.

Create an Inclusive Workplace Culture

Building a workplace culture that appreciates a wide range of experiences — including those across different age groups — is essential. This shift can help reduce bias related to age and unlock the unique strengths of a team made up of multiple generations.

Employers can create a more welcoming and collaborative workplace by adopting policies and practices that value a broad range of experiences and encourage open communication. This includes regular team development sessions, forming employee-led groups to support less visible communities, and ensuring that company policies demonstrate awareness and appreciation for varied personal and professional backgrounds.

Additionally, fostering an environment where feedback is encouraged and acted upon, and where all employees feel their voices are heard and valued, is key. By actively working to eliminate biases in hiring and promotion processes and providing equal opportunities for growth and development, employers can create a workplace where every employee feels valued and included.

Midcareer professionals are an untapped resource in today’s workforce. By recognizing and harnessing their potential, businesses can not only address the challenges of an aging workforce, but also benefit from the wealth of experience, maturity, and stability these professionals bring. Employers must adapt their strategies to attract, retain, and develop these skilled individuals.

If you’re an employer looking to tap into the potential of midcareer professionals, consider partnering with Generation United States. Our expertise in workforce development and our commitment to creating a sustainable and opportunity-rich labor market can provide your business with the tools and strategies necessary to leverage this valuable resource.

At Generation United States, our mission is to train, support, and place people into otherwise inaccessible career opportunities that can change their lives.