Almost three-quarters (73%) of over-50s say they have been overlooked for promotions by their employer due to their age, according to a new poll by UK recruiter Robert Walters, with six out of 10 saying that age holds them back from upskilling opportunities.
When it comes to looking for new positions, the story doesn’t get much better. The survey also found that many over-50s feeling they’ve lost out on new opportunities due to assumptions that they are ‘overqualified’ for a role (43%), have too high salary expectations (25%), aren’t seen as a ‘long-term’ hire (17%) or wouldn’t fit into company culture (15%).
Given this entrenched ageism, it’s not surprising that two thirds (65%) of the professionals surveyed of all ages said that including their age on CVs actively hampers their chances of securing a new position. Four out of 10 (41%) also said that they no longer include their graduation dates on their CV.
“Our research illustrates how professionals aged 50 and above are being met with considerable bias, whether it’s being overlooked for progression opportunities within their current company, held back from upskilling opportunities or being rejected when they apply for new roles,” said Habiba Khatoon, Director of Robert Walters Midlands.
“An older professional who may at first seem ‘overqualified’ is someone who could ultimately turn out being a more secure hire. Equally, unlike their younger peers who favour trends like ‘job-hopping’ and ‘squiggly careers’ which see them jump from one opportunity to the next – professionals over 50 are far more likely to dedicate themselves to a singular role, offering considerable years of loyalty to an organisation.”
Upskilling emerged as another significant issue. Although two-thirds (66%) of those surveyed of all ages agree that it’s vital that they continuously learn and up-skill to keep up with the demands of the jobs market, six out of 10 (59%) of professionals aged over 50 say that their age holds them back from being considered for training or upskilling opportunities.
“Continuous learning is crucial for all professionals, regardless of age, “ Habiba Khatoon added. “Not having the chance to master new skills can put all professionals at a distinct disadvantage, especially in terms of being exposed to further promotions and progression opportunities.”